France Bans Zoom and Teams In The Public Sector

France is banning US-based and non-European video conferencing software in the public sector, meaning platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex, Google Meet can no longer be used for official government work in France. All civil servants, government ministries, agencies, and public administrations will instead switch to Visio, a French-developed sovereign video conferencing tool specifically designed for official public sector use. David Amiel, France’s Minister of Public Service, announced the news on January 26, 2026.

What is Visio, France’s sovereign video conferencing tool for the public sector?

Visio is a video conferencing platform built by France’s Direction Interministérielle du Numérique (DINUM), the French state’s digital strategy and implementation. DINUM designs the French government’s digital services, builds internal software, and sets IT standards for the French government. DINUM hosts Visio on a state-approved infrastructure, sets Visio’s security standards, and manages migration/adoption across the French public sector. 

In plain English: Visio is built in-house by the French government, for the French government.

Visio is just one part of Suite Numerique, France’s suite of sovereign, public sector digital workplace tools operated by DINUM. Other Suite Numerique components include tools for document sharing+editing, calendars and scheduling, internal messaging, and access management.

Visio features include audio/video conferencing, screen sharing, and integrations with government identity systems/Suite Numerique tools. It’s designed for low-trust networks and focuses on simplicity and reliability over fancy features and endless third-party integrations that create security vulnerabilities.

Why is France banning Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other non-European platforms?

France is banning non-European video conferencing tools for three main reasons: to reduce dependency on foreign technology, to lower costs and standardize government operations, and to ensure France’s government data and communications remain under French/European Union legal jurisdiction and control.

Digital Sovereignty and Strategic Autonomy

Digital sovereignty - the ability of a state to control its own digital infrastructure, data, and technology instead of relying on platforms hosted or managed by foreign governments or companies - is increasingly gaining traction in Europe. It’s particularly popular in France, which has long been one of the biggest supporters of secure, open-source software for the public sector.

The French government (and much of Europe) sees the move to Visio as a way to gain control over its own infrastructure – and to keep foreign laws, particularly American ones, out of its tech ecosystem. “The aim is to end the use of non-European solutions and guarantee the security and confidentiality of public electronic communications by relying on a powerful and sovereign tool,” Amiel said.

Of particular concern is the U.S. CLOUD Act, which requires American software companies to give American authorities access to all data in its systems - even if the data is stored outside the U.S. The fear, especially given the geopolitical tensions currently at play, is that sensitive government or policy-related data could legally be handed over to the States. With Visio , government communications would remain under French and EU legal jurisdiction.

Lessen Dependency on Foreign Technology 

Right now, United States companies control about 70% of the cloud market in Europe. This means that an unusually high number of European entities, most concerningly government agencies, are dependent on non-European cloud and software companies for critical tech. This lack of control carries serious data privacy, security, and even geopolitical risks for countries like France.

Many French officials, including Amiel, say Europe is far too reliant on American and Chinese software companies that have vastly different regulations and data access laws than Europe. 

By switching to an “in-house” platform like Visio, France reduces non-European vendor lock-ins, regains control over software pricing and security, standardizes tech regulations and privacy laws, and keeps IT spending domestic.

Lower Costs

Then there’s the cost aspect: the French government says the move to Visio could save up to €1 million a year per 100,000 users–and eliminate recurring licensing fees. Adopting a sovereign video conferencing tool also means costs stay consistent and predictable while eliminating the confusion and expense of purchasing multiple tools with separate contracts. Even though Visio requires significant investment, it means costs aren’t exposed to external pricing powers or influenced by the whims of Trump’s aggressive and unpredictable trade policies.

Of course, banning American and non-European video conferencing software also means French companies get a leg up. The Parisian PyannoteAI and Kyutai will power meeting transcriptions, and Outscale (a subsidiary of Dassault Systemes) will host the platform.

Who does the ban  apply to? Can French citizens still use Zoom, Google Meet, and Ms Teams?

For now, France’s ban on US-based video conferencing tools applies only to the public sector - government entities, state-run institutions, and the civil servants using videoconferencing platforms to conduct official duties. As of January 2026, the ban does not apply to French citizens (private individuals), French schools, private businesses in France, or other French entities using Zoom for non-government work.

Is this really a ban, and when does it take effect?

Technically speaking, France is instituting more of a “soft ban on” US-based video conferencing tools than a legal one. French citizens won’t be blocked from downloading or accessing US platforms like Zoom, and private businesses (outside of the government, of course) won’t be criminally charged or penalized for using them.

France frames it as more of a phased IT procurement and technology transition for the government sector, with the goal of having all French government departments switched to the French-developed sovereign platform Visio by 2027. After that, the French government will not renew any contracts with US-based video conferencing platforms.

Are some French public sector agencies already using Visio?

Visio launched a testing/pilot phase about a year ago, where about 40,000 government sector employees tested it before broader deployment. About 200,000 public sector agents are currently in the process of making the switch to Visio. Government agencies either already using or rolling out Visio include the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, the French public health insurance system Assurance Maladie, and the General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFIP.)

Is this the beginning of the end for American communication software in France?

While the focus is on American video conferencing platforms for now, we will likely see UCaaS/team collaboration tools banned from the public sector in France down the line as the technology behind Suite Numerique matures.

In December 2025, France adopted a new Interoperability Framework for Digital Services for Education. The Framework requires public middle and high schools to use only digital platforms/tools that comply with specific technical requirements for interoperability, security, and responsible digital technology. We will likely see other American/non-European tools banned in France’s public education sector in the near future.

Remember though, for now, only government agencies are subject to the video conferencing ban, not private citizens, schools, or businesses conducting non-governmental work.