The European Commission is deploying Element Pro, a self-hosted messaging platform built on the open-source Matrix standard, as a backup to Microsoft Teams rather than a replacement, giving the EC greater control over its communications infrastructure. The move is a straightforward business-continuity measure driven by digital sovereignty concerns, particularly the risk that US tech companies could be ordered to cut off services to European users. Despite predictable complaints from change-resistant staff, the author argues the short-term inconvenience is a reasonable trade-off for reducing dependence on externally operated platforms in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.
