The International Criminal Court Shifts to European Digital Solutions
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has enacted a pivotal decision to discontinue its utilization of Microsoft software, opting instead for digital solutions developed within Europe. This strategic maneuver aims to mitigate reliance on American suppliers.
According to reports from Ukrinform, as cited by NRC, this decision arises amid escalating demands for digital sovereignty and apprehensions regarding potential sanctions from the United States.
“The International Criminal Court (ICC) rejects Microsoft and opts for a European alternative”
European Alternatives and the Pursuits of Digital Independence
It is anticipated that the new software will likely be provided by the German firm ZenDiS, which has been established with governmental backing to bolster the digital sovereignty of public institutions.
ZenDiS functions as a competence center committed to enhancing digital sovereignty across federal, state, and municipal tiers within Germany.
Meanwhile, NRC has reported that Microsoft remains committed to collaborating with the court. The company clarified that the deactivation of ICC prosecutor Karim Khan’s Outlook email last year was a directive from American authorities rather than an initiative from Microsoft itself.
The statement further underscores the company’s intention to maintain its technological partnership with the ICC.
Additionally, it has been noted that Microsoft has released an update for Windows 11, incorporating voice control features in Copilot.
Earlier reports from De Volkskrant indicated that Dutch authorities express unease regarding dependence on products from the American corporation, viewing it as a potential threat to the nation’s digital sovereignty.
Most government entities presently operate within the Microsoft ecosystem, rendering an abrupt shift unfeasible. Consequently, the government is deliberating alternatives in European solutions, including those from France and Germany.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, on August 20, the U.S. Department of State enacted sanctions against two ICC judges and two prosecutors for purportedly “persecuting” Israeli and U.S. citizens.
Furthermore, in June, the United States imposed sanctions on four ICC judges for their roles in prosecuting U.S. and Israeli nationals without the respective countries’ consent.
In summary, the transition towards European technological solutions highlights an increasing commitment to digital sovereignty and the quest for self-sufficient technologies within international institutions.
Source link: Mezha.net.
