Facing legal risks and political pressure, École Polytechnique has ultimately paused its transition to Microsoft 365. This significant decision reignites the debate on digital sovereignty in public higher education institutions.
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Polytechnique Halts Its Shift to Microsoft 365
Under legal and political pressure, Polytechnique has put a halt on its migration to Microsoft 365. Initially begun covertly, the move to the ecosystem of the American tech giant quickly sparked opposition.
The National Council of Free Software (CNLL) initiated a pre-litigation procedure, citing a violation of Article L123-4-1 of the Education Code, which mandates a preference for open-source software in higher education. Concerns were also raised about GDPR compliance and the security of sensitive data in an institution affiliated with the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
Sensitive Data and the Cloud Act: Underestimated Risks
The main issue lies in the transfer of data to servers governed by American extraterritorial laws, such as the Cloud Act or FISA. Essentially, U.S. intelligence services could access this data without prior notice. For an institution handling sensitive scientific and military data, this was a risk that was hard to justify. The situation also reflects ongoing warnings, particularly from the CNIL and its Austrian counterpart, which recently deemed Microsoft 365 non-compliant with GDPR in education.
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Internal Mobilization and Political Pressures
The suspension of the project is not just the result of legal actions: it is also due to an internal mobilization of staff and researchers. Several elected representatives, including deputy Philippe Latombe, have called on the government to denounce a shift that is incompatible with cybersecurity obligations.
The ministry tried to downplay the significance of the debate, but the joint pressure from open-source advocates, the media, and the academic world made it impossible for the school’s administration to ignore.
A Precedent That Speaks Volumes
This setback marks a symbolic precedent, but the situation remains concerning. Many higher education institutions, less exposed in the media, still face pressures to switch to proprietary solutions. Some faculty members even report being pressured to abandon open-source tools. This trend is in direct conflict with legislative texts and the growing demand for technological sovereignty.
What’s Being Said?
Polytechnique has put the brakes on a structural technological dependency. However, the situation highlights persistent gaps in the digital strategy of French higher education. As long as regulatory frameworks are ignored or circumvented, and open-source alternatives are not seriously incorporated into IT department roadmaps, such conflicts are likely to recur. It remains to be seen if this suspension will lead to a real change in direction. What do you think?