Nov 21, 2022 16:00:00

France bans use of Microsoft Office 365 in schools

The French

Ministry of National Education has requested educational institutions to stop using Microsoft Office 365 for schools and students, which is provided free of charge in France, because it does not comply with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Question n°971 - Assemblée nationale
https://questions.assemblee-nationale.fr/q16/16-971QE.htm

Le ministre de l'Éducation nationale ne veut pas de Microsoft Office 365 ni de Google Workspace
https://siecledigital.fr/2022/11/17/le-ministre-de-leducation-nationale-ne-veut-pas-de-microsoft-office-365-ni-de-google-workspace/

On November 15, 2022, the Ministry of National Education mentioned Microsoft Office 365 in response to a question from French MP Philippe Latombe. Mr. Ratombe's question is, 'Microsoft Office 365 may look attractive at first glance, but offering this service for free is the ultimate unfair bargain and deserves unfair competition. It raises a serious question of sovereignty because it is above.Please tell us your opinion on this matter.

In response, the Ministry of National Education cited a previous letter issued by France's Commission for Telecommunications and Free Trade (CNIL), stating, 'CNIL has asked institutions of higher education to host data within the European Union and send it to the United States. We recommend using services provided by companies that do not transfer and are subject only to European law.' He said he was in the process of asking educational institutions to stop using Microsoft Office 365, which is against the GDPR.

France's Digital Interagency Directorate (DINUM) has previously stated that ``the introduction of Microsoft Office 365 in government agencies to protect data from security breaches or abuse by US intelligence agencies is prohibited.'' increase.

The Ministry of National Education also noted this point, stating that ``local and regional authorities are required to choose 'service providers who are subject only to European law' who manage data within the European Union and do not transfer it to the United States. Local governments are responsible not only for facilities and operations, but also for the acquisition and maintenance of infrastructure and equipment.”

In the EU, not only France but also Germany prohibits the use of Microsoft Office 365 in schools. Germany, like France, has determined that `` Microsoft Office 365 is exchanging information with data centers in the United States '' violates the GDPR, and was banned in 2019 from the perspective of privacy information protection. .

Microsoft Office 365 banned in German schools - GIGAZINE