Teams Alternative Put to the Stress Test: EU Officials Pan Their Own Software Solution

Image: Mikhail Nilov / pexels.com

It was supposed to be a sign of strength. The European Commission wants to become less dependent on US technology companies and has therefore introduced Element Pro, a communications platform designed as an alternative to Microsoft Teams. Yet, ironically, the Commission’s own employees appear largely unimpressed by the tool. Their criticism is so blunt that it may give even the most committed digital policy advocates pause.

A Backup with Rough Edges

The plan initially sounds sensible. Teams will remain the Commission’s primary workplace tool, while Element Pro is intended to step in only if Microsoft’s service becomes unavailable. The key difference is that Element Pro does not run in a US technology company’s cloud, but on the Commission’s own infrastructure. The software is based on the open Matrix standard, which is reportedly also used by the German armed forces, NATO units and the United Nations.

According to Politico, citing posts on internal forums, many officials remain dissatisfied. One user simply failed to see any added value. Another said that Element Pro was still miles behind Teams. A third comment went even further, claiming that the United States would win a technological dispute with Europe in no time. It is important to note that these comments were posted anonymously and do not necessarily reflect the views of the workforce as a whole.

Data Protection Comes at a Price

This is the real core of the story. Anyone who wants to retain control over their own data often has to accept compromises in terms of convenience. That will be familiar to anyone who has used a practical app despite knowing that it collects a considerable amount of personal information. Open-source solutions are generally more privacy-friendly, but they often appear less polished or require more time to learn.

The head of Element acknowledges this openly. Change is always painful, and switching from software as established as Teams is inevitably going to be a bumpy process. The friction, therefore, is not an accident. It is the price of independence.

Why Convenience Often Prevails

The criticism, however, does not tell the whole story. According to Element, well over 200 million people now use the Matrix protocol, while more than 25 governments rely on Matrix-based systems. In Germany, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Centre for Digital Sovereignty, known as ZenDiS, are advancing corresponding projects for the public sector. The standard is therefore far from niche.

Nevertheless, the European Commission’s experience highlights a common obstacle: habit tends to outweigh principles. As long as the familiar software works, it is difficult to choose the less convenient but more privacy-friendly alternative.

The Uncomfortable Truth

Europe wants to be in control of its own digital house, while simultaneously expecting its staff not to complain. That is like buying a safe and then wondering why it is difficult to open first thing in the morning.

A backup is not a strategy. It is an insurance policy. If the Commission continues to rely on Microsoft for its primary tool and keeps the alternative solely for emergencies, it should ask itself how seriously it truly takes digital sovereignty. Recht 24/7’s view is clear: anyone who wants digital independence cannot expect it to feel like a relaxing weekend at the beach. It is demanding, inconvenient and sometimes downright unpleasant. That is precisely why it must be genuinely wanted, rather than merely invoked on conference slides.