LibreOffice rails against Microsoft Excel use at the EU

The Document Foundation, the driving force behind the open-source office suite LibreOffice, has criticized the European Commission for its continued reliance on Microsoft Excel for official forms and data collection. This move highlights a perceived hypocrisy, as the EU publicly advocates for digital sovereignty while continuing to depend on proprietary software solutions from a single vendor. The foundation argues that this practice hinders the adoption of open standards and potentially undermines the EU's goals of fostering a more independent digital ecosystem. This criticism centers on the EU Commission's use of Excel files, which often contain sensitive data and are used in official governmental processes. The Document Foundation contends that by not prioritizing open document formats or open-source alternatives, the EU is missing opportunities to enhance data interoperability, security, and transparency across its various bodies. The reliance on specific proprietary software can also create vendor lock-in, making it more difficult and costly to transition to alternative solutions in the future. The impact of this continued dependence extends to developers, businesses, and citizens alike, as it sets a precedent for software adoption within the EU. By championing open source and open standards, the EU could foster greater innovation and competition, and encourage the development of European alternatives to established global tech giants. The Document Foundation's stance serves as a call to action for the EU to more consistently align its procurement and operational practices with its stated digital policy objectives.