The European Commission is currently testing London-based Element Pro as a secure, sovereign alternative to Microsoft Teams. While intended to bolster digital independence, the trial has met with significant pushback from EU officials.
Staff dismiss Element Pro as "absolute shit" in internal forums
Internal feedback regarding the new software has been notably harsh, according to a report from Politico. Some European Commission staff members have expressed confusion over the tool's purpose, with one official questioning the actual value the platform adds to their daily workflows.
The level of frustration among users is high, with one staffer reportedly describing the Element platform as "absolute shit" on an internal forum. Another official voiced a more existential concern, suggesting that if the European Commission remains this dependent on American technology, the United States would hold a massive advantage in any potential conflict where software access is cut off.
The advantage of running Element Pro on EC-owned infrastructure
The Element Pro platform offers a distinct technical advantage by running on the European Commission's own internal infrastructure.. This setup is intended to mitigate the espionage risks and data security concerns that many EU officials asociate with American-made software.
Microsoft Teams lacks this level of physical control , leaving European Commission users to rely on corporate guarantees that the company will not access their data. As reported by Politico,this distinction is a primary driver for the Commission's interest in maintaining a sovereign backup, even if the user experience is currently lacking.
A London-based solution for a post-Brexit European Union?
The use of a UK-based firm like Element raises complex questions about the definition of "sovereignty" for the European Union. While the move aims to reduce reliance on the United States, the choice of a British provider may not fully satisfy the goal of total digital autonomy.
The United Kingdom's departture from the EU in 2020 means that Element is technically a non-EU entity. This creates a paradox where the European Commission is seeking to escape American tech dominance by turning to a company based in a country that is no longer part of the European bloc.
France’s 2027 migration and the broader European shift
France is planning to migrate to domestic competitors of Microsoft Teams and Zoom by 2027, illustrating a wider trend of European technological decoupling. This movement toward digital autonomy is seen across the continent, with various nations seeking to protect their data from foreign influence.
Austria's military already utilizes the German-maintained LibreOffice suite to avoid dependency on American office software. Element CEO Matthew Hodgson told Politico that software transitions often cause "cognitive dissonance" among users, noting that even major organizations like NATO and the United Nations face similar pains when switching platforms.
Will the European Commission ever fully abandon Microsoft Teams?
The European Commission faces a difficult choice between the seamless integration of Microsoft Teams and the security of a sovereign backup. While the Element Pro trial is currently limited to a backup role, the long-term goal of reducing American software dependence remains a priority for EU leadership.
It remains unverified whether the European Commission will eventually expand Element Pro's role or if the current staff dissatisfaction will force a return to American-centric tools. The outcome of this trial will likely serve as a bellwether for other EU institutions weighing the costs of digital sovereignty.
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