France Switches from Zoom to ‘Visio’ for Digital Sovereignty

France has launched a bold digital initiative by announcing the gradual replacement of Zoom and Microsoft Teams within its public sector. In their place comes Visio, a government-developed video conferencing platform built entirely on French infrastructure — a move that underlines the nation’s growing push for digital sovereignty and data independence.

Why France is Replacing Zoom and Teams

Speaking during a visit to the CNRS I2BC research facility in Île-de-France, David Amiel, Minister Delegate for the Public Service and State Reform, explained the rationale:

“We’ve become dependent on Teams and Zoom. We must ensure the security of our communications in all circumstances.”

This decision reflects France’s long-term strategy to control its own technological ecosystem, especially in sensitive sectors such as defense, research, and healthcare.

Immediate Rollout to Research and Public Institutions

Visio is already in active use across parts of the French administration and has logged around 40,000 regular users during its pilot phase. A wider rollout is now underway:

CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) will migrate 34,000 core staff and 120,000 affiliated researchers by March 2026.
Other early adopters include the Ministry of Armed Forces, Assurance Maladie, and the Directorate General of Public Finances.
Total deployment is expected to reach 200,000 public servants this year, expanding government-wide by 2027.

This transition effectively reduces France’s exposure to US-based systems and aligns with the European Union’s wider technology independence strategy.

What Makes Visio a “Sovereign” Platform

Visio isn’t just a local version of Zoom — it’s designed for security, compliance, and scalability.

Key Technical Highlights:

Developed by: DINUM (Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs) in partnership with ANSSI, France’s cybersecurity authority.
Hosting: Fully operated on Outscale Cloud — a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, certified under SecNumCloud for compliance with national cybersecurity standards.
AI Features:
- Transcription and speaker recognition powered by Pyannote, a French AI startup.
- Real-time subtitles from research lab Kyutai, launching mid-2026.
Integration: Part of Suite Numérique, a broader ecosystem designed to replace U.S. services like Google Meet, Gmail, and Slack in French administration.

The Economic and Strategic Benefits

Officials estimate that migrating 100,000 users to Visio could save €1 million annually in licensing and subscription fees. Beyond financial savings, Visio also ensures:

Stronger data privacy — All communications remain on French soil.
Continuity of service — Independent from geopolitical tensions or foreign corporate decisions.
Innovation stimulus — Supporting domestic tech and AI startups through national contracts.

Part of France’s Broader Digital Sovereignty Strategy

Visio is a cornerstone of France’s Suite Numérique, an all-in-one sovereign digital workspace. The platform integrates tools for communication, cloud storage, and collaboration — all protected by ProConnect, the government’s secure single sign-on service.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to issue a formal circular mandating the adoption of Visio across ministries. The move underscores France’s determination to reclaim control over its digital infrastructure and reduce foreign dependency — a growing concern across Europe amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

What This Means for the Future of EU Tech Policy

France’s Visio project could spark a continental movement toward European-made communication solutions. Similar sovereign tech initiatives are already on the rise in Germany, Spain, and the EU Commission, each emphasizing open-source frameworks and domestic cloud providers.

This shift sets a precedent for how major European governments might reclaim control over digital collaboration — keeping strategic data within the continent’s borders and strengthening technological autonomy.

In Summary

France’s decision to abandon Zoom and Teams in favor of Visio isn’t merely a tech switch — it’s a strategic statement about sovereignty, cybersecurity, and economic independence. As the rollout continues through 2026 and 2027, France is positioning itself as a leader in Europe’s campaign for digital self-reliance.