Why I believe open source is Europe’s path to digital autonomy

Imagine building your digital infrastructure on land you don't own. No matter how robust your systems, you're subject to external rules and recurring fees. While these providers ensure functionality, any request for foundational changes often goes unanswered. In this article, we'll explore the challenges of digital dependence and how open-source solutions can empower Europe to reclaim its digital sovereignty.

• The true cost of relying on non-European tech
  • Data sovereignty: Europe’s biggest blind spot
• Open-source solutions as real European alternatives
• Four open-source values Europe can’t ignore
  • Key values
    • #1 Transparency 
    • #2 Reusability 
    • #3 Freedom from dependency
    • #4 Collaboration
• European alternatives already shaping the future
• The path forward: reclaiming Europe’s digital sovereignty

The true cost of relying on non-European tech

Europe's dependence on foreign digital solutions, particularly from non-European providers, poses significant risks. Trade disputes and sanctions can destabilize our digital networks, impacting the broader economy. Moreover, cyberattacks have surged, with the UK alone experiencing a doubling of significant incidents in 2024. This underscores the urgency for Europe to enhance its digital autonomy and safeguard democratic values online.

European businesses and governments spend a huge €20 billion each year on Microsoft 365. They also spend nearly €30 billion on Hyperscalers and over €4 billion on VMware licenses. This spending is all the more striking given that Hyperscalers’ revenues grew by 500% between 2017 and 2022. They continue to grow at more than 10% each year.

As the CEO of XWiki SAS, I believe that true innovation comes from working together. I have dedicated my career to supporting this idea. It also comes from the freedom to create without limits. Today, more than ever, I’m convinced that open source is the rocket fuel Europe needs to steer its own digital destiny. 

Achieving digital sovereignty is a journey, not a destination. Invest in local technology, support our developer communities, and take back control of our data. When your tools cost billions and your freedom is at risk, that’s not a digital strategy — it’s digital dependence. 

Data sovereignty: Europe’s biggest blind spot

The financial cost is only part of the problem. The deeper issue is data sovereignty. Sensitive information hosted by non-European providers is inevitably subject to foreign jurisdictions. That means Europe’s privacy standards, including GDPR, are undermined the moment data crosses borders.

We’ve seen the risks clearly: Foreign laws can grant access to European data without our consent. For governments, public institutions, and businesses, this isn’t just a compliance headache—it’s a democratic threat. True sovereignty begins with keeping European data under European control, and that requires serious investment in European alternatives. 

The strengths of open source lie in its transparency, reusability, independence from vendor lock-in, and collaborative nature.

Open-source solutions as real European alternatives

I've spent decades advocating for open-source alternatives to proprietary software, and today they exist in virtually every technology sector. During the COVID crisis, we saw the rapid deployment of BigBlueButton's open-source video conferencing software when European organizations needed reliable solutions.

As Broadcom increases VMware pricing, alternatives like Proxmox, XCP-NG, and OpenStack are gaining well-deserved momentum.

Germany's openDesk initiative exemplifies how open-source solutions are advancing in the collaborative tools space, offering a sovereign alternative to proprietary suites like Microsoft 365. By integrating established open-source solutions such as Collabora for document editing, Nextcloud for file sharing, OpenProject for project management, CryptPad for secure collaboration, and XWiki for knowledge management, openDesk provides a comprehensive, secure, and transparent digital workplace tailored for public administration.

Proprietary giants might offer ready-made solutions, but every update, every price hike, every geopolitical tug of war reminds us how fragile that convenience can be. 

Four open-source values Europe can’t ignore

When we discuss the foundations of a digitally sovereign Europe, we're addressing more than just software licenses or code repositories. Europe must build a resilient digital infrastructure grounded in open source and open standards. This approach is not merely a technical preference but a strategic necessity. By embracing these pillars, Europe can accelerate its technological transformation and regain control of its digital future.

Key values

#1 Transparency 

Open source makes its source code available to everyone, which enables rigorous verification of security and compliance with European standards.

#2 Reusability 

Open source is built on the idea of shared knowledge. Developers and organizations across Europe have the opportunity to build solutions based on open bricks, without requesting prior authorization, thus fostering a great capacity for innovation.

#3 Freedom from dependency

Proprietary software locks users into specific ecosystems, and those locks come with financial and strategic risks. With open source, organizations retain full control over their tools and infrastructure. This protects players against price rises or the formation of vertical monopolies.

#4 Collaboration

Across the European Union, countries can collaborate on software infrastructure without duplicating efforts. By sharing the investment burden, we can create high-quality, open digital tools that serve all Europeans. Open source enables a model of cooperation that perfectly aligns with the EU’s own vision of unity, whether it's shared repositories, joint development efforts, or European-wide innovation programs.

By investing in open-source software, Europe can regain control over its technology. This will also help create long-term economic growth. Using a European open-source solution would help startups, small businesses, and public institutions grow with trusted, open components. This approach supports cross-border collaboration, reduces barriers to entry, and helps retain tech talent within Europe.

European alternatives already shaping the future

For over 20 years, I've witnessed Europe's digital landscape evolve from the front lines as XWiki's CEO. What began as a niche technical movement is now essential to our sovereignty. Institutions that embrace open source gain more than cost savings. They gain independence and ensure their data sovereignty.

Events like the Open Source Experience (OSXP) 2025 are important for everyone who values Europe's digital independence. As Chairman of the OSXP 2025 Programme Committee, I will bring my vision and experience to enrich discussions on Europe’s strategic autonomy through open source.

The conference will highlight French and European expertise, showcasing the impressive range of open-source solutions already available from ecosystem partners while demonstrating our continent's innovative engineering capabilities.

Now, more than ever, Europe must assertively pursue digital autonomy. The open-source sector is now fully prepared to meet this challenge. OSXP 2025 will demonstrate how open source effectively addresses Europe's strategic needs by showcasing successful existing solutions and presenting innovative, transparent, and collaborative new options.

The path forward: reclaiming Europe’s digital sovereignty

The question is no longer whether Europe needs digital sovereignty, but whether we have the courage to act quickly enough.

Open-source European alternatives are ready today. They support innovation, protect our data, and keep investment within Europe. But they need political will, business adoption, and citizen trust to scale.

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