Pecohub France has announced it is ditching Microsoft Teams and Zoom, two American video conferencing platforms, in favour of its domestically developed platform, Visio.
The French government, in an official statement issued on Monday, said it intends to completely stop using the American platforms across all its departments by 2027.
The country stated that this move was part of its effort to reduce dependence on foreign software vendors, especially those from the United States.
The French government said it seeks to regain control over critical digital infrastructure. It will instead be using the French-made Visio, according to Euronews.
“This project is a concrete illustration of the Prime Minister and the Government’s commitment to regaining our digital independence
“The aim is to end the use of non-European solutions and guarantee the security and confidentiality of public electronic communications by relying on a robust and sovereign tool.
“We cannot risk having our scientific exchanges, our sensitive data, and our strategic innovations exposed to non-European actors. Digital sovereignty is simultaneously an imperative for our public services, an opportunity for our businesses, and insurance against future threats,” the French government said.
According to the statement, Visio is being developed and rolled out by the government’s Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM).
The platform has been in testing for a year and currently has around 40,000 users. The French government intends to make it the default and, eventually, the exclusive video conferencing platform for public servants.
According to media reports, by 2027, external videoconferencing licences would no longer be renewed.
Currently, sections of the public sector, including tax and social security authorities, have already begun the transition.
