France Ditches Microsoft for Health Data: A Turning Point for Digital Sovereignty
France is embarking on a significant shift in its digital health strategy, moving its Health Data Hub – a vast repository of citizen health information – away from Microsoft’s Azure cloud services. This decision, announced on February 6, 2026, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s pursuit of digital sovereignty and data protection. The move comes after years of criticism regarding the potential for U.S. Authorities to access sensitive health data.
The Concerns: U.S. Law and Data Access
The core issue revolves around U.S. Laws like the Cloud Act, which allow American authorities to demand data held by U.S.-based cloud providers, regardless of where that data is physically stored. This raised concerns among French officials and privacy advocates about the potential for unauthorized access to the health information of millions of citizens. The French government aims to complete this transition by the complete of 2026.
SecNumCloud: The Modern Standard
The Health Data Hub will now seek a new host among cloud providers certified with SecNumCloud. This French security certification guarantees a high level of data protection and ensures that the provider is not subject to extra-European laws. The call for bids opens on February 9th, as part of the UGAP Public Cloud market.
Who’s in the Running?
Several European companies are vying for the contract. Potential candidates include French firms OVH, Cloud Temple, and S3ns (a Thales group company utilizing Google cloud technology). Orange, in partnership with Capgemini, has also applied for SecNumCloud certification, but has not yet received it.
Beyond Health Data: A Broader Trend
This move isn’t isolated. The French government is increasingly focused on reducing its reliance on non-European technology providers across various sectors. Bercy recently announced a circular prioritizing technological sovereignty in public procurement, and the government is also developing a fully French-made video conferencing solution, Visio, to be implemented across the administration by 2027.
The Rise of Digital Sovereignty
The shift reflects a growing global trend towards digital sovereignty – the idea that nations should have control over their own data and digital infrastructure. This represents driven by concerns about data privacy, national security, and economic competitiveness. A source within the French digital industry noted a growing awareness among policymakers, particularly following events that highlighted potential vulnerabilities related to dependence on U.S. Technology.
“The responsible politicians are saying +what if the situation worsens, and what if Trump cuts off our access to software, how do we ensure business continuity?+” in the French economy,” the source explained.
Impact on Research and Innovation
The Health Data Hub is intended to be a valuable resource for researchers, providing access to anonymized health data to accelerate scientific discovery. The transition to a sovereign cloud is expected to not only enhance data security but also streamline access for researchers, ultimately benefiting the French healthcare system.
FAQ
What is SecNumCloud? SecNumCloud is a French security certification for cloud providers, ensuring a high level of data protection and independence from extra-European legal jurisdictions.
Why is France moving away from Microsoft Azure? Concerns about U.S. Laws allowing access to data stored on American cloud servers prompted the move.
When will the transition be complete? The French government aims to complete the full migration by the end of 2026.
What is the Health Data Hub? It’s a platform that will eventually hold copies of all French health insurance data, intended for research and innovation.
What other steps is France taking to achieve digital sovereignty? France is prioritizing sovereign technology in public procurement and developing its own video conferencing solution.
Did you know? The initial choice of Microsoft as the Health Data Hub’s host in 2019 sparked immediate criticism from French tech companies and privacy advocates.
Pro Tip: For organizations handling sensitive data, understanding and complying with data sovereignty regulations is crucial. Consider cloud providers with certifications like SecNumCloud to ensure compliance.
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