France to phase out US video conferencing tools, launch own Visio app by 2027

France has announced plans to gradually phase out American video conferencing services such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom across its public administration by 2027, replacing them with a domestically developed platform called “Visio.”

The move is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on foreign technology providers.

The announcement was made by France’s Minister of Public Service, David Amiel, in an interview with La Tribune Dimanche.

Amiel said the French administration had become “overly dependent” on foreign video conferencing platforms, and stressed the need to ensure that official discussions and internal communications remain secure and sovereign.

Un outil 100% souverain pour tous nos agents de l’État 🇫🇷 https://t.co/bEcgHvU3gZ

— David Amiel (@Amiel_David_) January 26, 2026

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“To guarantee the security of negotiations and internal dialogue under all circumstances, it is essential to end this dependence at the state level,” Amiel said. The government plans to deploy Visio throughout the entire public administration system within the next two years.

Developed by the Interministerial Digital Agency (DINUM), Visio is being described as a “100 per cent French-made” solution. Amiel said the platform would not only enhance data protection but also generate significant cost savings, eliminating the millions of euros currently spent on renewing contracts with foreign software providers.

So far, around 40,000 public sector employees have reportedly tested the service. According to the minister, Visio includes an integrated algorithm that can automatically generate text transcripts of conversations, improving accessibility and record-keeping.

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The development aligns with France’s ongoing efforts to bolster digital independence and regulate online platforms more tightly. President Emmanuel Macron’s administration has increasingly framed technology policy as a matter of national security and cultural sovereignty, especially in areas involving sensitive data and youth protection.

Just a few hours after the Visio announcement, France’s National Assembly approved a landmark bill to restrict access to social media for children under 15.

The measure, strongly backed by Macron, aims to combat excessive screen time and safeguard young people’s mental health. Once implemented, France will become the second country in the world, after Australia, to enforce such a nationwide ban.

Australia introduced its own restrictions earlier this year, barring children under 16 from major social media platforms in an effort to reduce exposure to harmful content and online exploitation. France’s legislation marks a similar step in asserting greater control over digital life and online safety.

Interdire les réseaux sociaux aux moins de 15 ans : c’est ce que préconisent les scientifiques, c’est ce que demandent massivement les Français.

Après un travail fructueux avec le Gouvernement, l’Assemblée nationale vient de dire oui.

C’est une étape majeure.…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2026

Both initiatives reflect a growing European trend toward greater regulation of technology and reduced dependence on American digital infrastructure. With the rollout of Visio, France hopes to set an example of technological self-reliance, ensuring that sensitive state communications remain under domestic control while also supporting the country’s software innovation sector.