In early 2026, France made headlines across Europe and the global tech industry by announcing a decisive shift away from U.S.-based video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams—at least within its public sector. The move is not an isolated policy change but part of a broader European push toward digital sovereignty, data protection, and long-term strategic autonomy.
As governments reassess their reliance on foreign technology providers, questions naturally arise:
- Why did France stop using Zoom and Teams?
- Who is affected by this decision?
- Does this signal a wider European ban on U.S. software?
- what are the best alternatives today for governments, businesses, and citizens?
This article answers all of those questions—and goes a step further—by presenting five leading Zoom and Teams alternatives for video meetings, analyzed objectively with real pros and cons.
Why France Stopped Using Zoom and Microsoft Teams
France’s decision is rooted in policy, not performance. Zoom and Microsoft Teams are widely used, feature-rich, and technically mature platforms. However, the French government’s concern lies elsewhere: control, jurisdiction, and long-term risk.
1. Digital Sovereignty Takes Priority
At the heart of the move is the concept of digital sovereignty—the ability of a country to control its own digital infrastructure, software, and data without external dependency.
French officials have repeatedly stated that relying on non-European platforms for sensitive communications creates:
- Legal exposure to foreign laws
- Strategic dependency on foreign vendors
- Risk of service disruption during geopolitical tensions
France’s stance aligns with a growing European belief that critical government communications should not rely on infrastructure governed by non-EU legal frameworks.
2. Data Privacy and Legal Jurisdiction Concerns
A key issue is the U.S. CLOUD Act, which allows American authorities to request access to data held by U.S. companies—even if that data is stored outside the United States.
From the French government’s perspective:
- Hosting data in Europe is not enough
- Ownership, governance, and legal control matter just as much
This concern intensified after past incidents where access to digital services was restricted due to international sanctions, reinforcing fears of potential “kill switches” in foreign-owned platforms.
3. Standardization and Cost Control
Managing dozens of tools across millions of civil servants leads to:
- Fragmented security policies
- Rising licensing costs
- Vendor lock-in
By switching to a single, state-developed solution, France aims to:
- Standardize communication tools
- Eliminate recurring licensing fees
- Keep IT spending within the European ecosystem
Are Zoom or Teams Banned for Everyone in France?
No. This is a critical distinction.
As of now:
- The restriction applies only to the public sector
- Civil servants, ministries, and government agencies must migrate away
- Private citizens, businesses, startups, and schools can still use Zoom or Teams
However, France has made it clear that future restrictions may expand, especially in education and other publicly funded sectors.
Why This Matters Beyond France
France’s decision is widely seen as a signal, not a one-off event.
Across Europe:
Germany has migrated tens of thousands of civil servants to open-source tools
EU institutions are revisiting cloud and collaboration vendor policies
Governments are prioritizing “EU-controlled” digital ecosystems
This raises a realistic question for organizations:
What video conferencing platforms are future-proof in a sovereignty-focused Europe?
The 5 Best Zoom and Teams Alternatives for Video Conferences in 2026
Evaluated objectively for different use cases, from government to the general public.
SendMega Meet has emerged as one of the most discussed European-made alternatives, particularly because it is accessible not only to institutions but also to the general public. Designed for broad adoption while prioritizing privacy compliance.
Key Capabilities
- Supports up to 500 attendees per meeting
- Built-in AI assistance (ChatGPT-style meeting support)
- 4K video quality, developed and hosted in Switzerland
- Fully GDPR compliant
- Generous free tier
- Strong European jurisdiction
- AI reduces meeting friction
- Smaller ecosystem than Teams
- Growing brand recognition
Best for: Public institutions, privacy-conscious organizations, and large free meetings.
A state-built solution created exclusively for French public administration by DINUM. It is part of the broader Suite Numérique ecosystem.
- Full operational control by the state
- No external vendor dependency
- Not available to businesses/citizens
- Limited feature set
Best for: French government agencies only.
Positioned as a security-first enterprise solution with robust compliance certifications, though affected by EU public-sector restrictions due to US ownership.
- Highly secure and stable
- Scales for large organizations
- Complex UX & Higher costs
- U.S.-based legal jurisdiction
Best for: Large enterprises with strict internal security needs.
Popular for simplicity and Workspace integration, but faces ongoing scrutiny from European regulators regarding data governance.
- Easy browser-based use
- Seamless Workspace integration
- Limited meeting controls
- Increasing regulatory scrutiny
Best for: Small teams already invested in Google Workspace.
A long-standing player focused on reliability for legacy users rather than modern feature innovation.
- Stable, familiar performance
- Straightforward setup
- Slower innovation pace
- U.S.-based provider
Best for: Traditional businesses prioritizing stability over modern features.
| Platform | Public Use | Gov Use | EU Jurisdiction | Free Tier | Future-Proof (EU) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SendMega | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | High |
| Visio | No | Yes | Yes | No | High (Gov only) |
| Webex | Yes | Restricted | No | Limited | Medium |
| Google Meet | Yes | Restricted | No | Yes | Medium–Low |
| GoToMeeting | Yes | Restricted | No | Limited | Medium |
What This Shift Means for Businesses and Users
France’s decision does not require immediate action for private companies—but it sets a precedent. Organizations should begin asking:
FAQs
Is Zoom banned in France?
No. Zoom is restricted only for public sector use. Private individuals and businesses can still use it.
Why did France ban Zoom and Teams for civil servants?
Mainly due to concerns around digital sovereignty, data jurisdiction, and strategic autonomy.
Can French citizens still use Google Meet?
Yes, for now. However, it faces similar long-term scrutiny.
What is the best free alternative to Zoom in Europe?
SendMega currently stands out due to its free tier, high attendee limit, and GDPR compliance.
Will other EU countries follow France?
Many already are. France’s move accelerates a broader European trend.
