LibreOffice again criticizes Microsoft harshly for its business practices

LibreOffice has renewed its strong criticism of Microsoft, accusing the tech giant of prioritizing its commercial interests over interoperability and open standards within its productivity suite. This stance highlights ongoing tensions between proprietary software models and the open-source community, particularly concerning document compatibility and data exchange. The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) supports these criticisms, emphasizing the importance of open standards for digital sovereignty and user freedom. The core of LibreOffice's complaint revolves around Microsoft's implementation of document formats. Microsoft's continued reliance on proprietary extensions and complex internal formats for its Office suite, despite supporting open standards like ODF (Open Document Format), is seen as a barrier. This can lead to compatibility issues when documents are shared or edited across different software, forcing users into the Microsoft ecosystem for seamless operation. These practices directly impact users and developers across Europe, potentially limiting choice and increasing reliance on a single vendor. For businesses and public administrations, especially those embracing digital transformation, ensuring seamless data flow and avoiding vendor lock-in is crucial for efficiency and long-term cost management. LibreOffice's advocacy, echoed by the FSFE, aims to foster a more competitive and open digital landscape, bolstering European efforts towards digital autonomy.