Dutch Government Develops Linux OS to Reduce Dependence on Microsoft
The Netherlands is taking steps to reduce its dependence on American technology companies by developing a government-focused Linux operating system and expanding the use of open-source software across the public sector.
The initiative is part of a broader push for digital sovereignty in Europe, where governments are increasingly questioning their dependence on foreign companies for critical technology infrastructure. The goal is to give public institutions greater control over the software they use, the data they process, and the way their digital systems are maintained.
Microsoft products currently play a major role in government computing, but replacing these systems would represent a major technological shift. Linux is being considered as an important alternative because it is open-source, allowing organizations to adapt the operating system to their own requirements.