Microsoft is discontinuing Skype – time for a sovereign alternative

In May 2025, Microsoft will discontinue Skype. Users have two options: switch to the successor solution Teams or look for new video conferencing software. The discontinuation of Skype should therefore once again make us aware of our dependence on US software providers.

Vendor lock-in: a risk for companies and public authorities

For companies and public institutions in Germany, this decision means more than just a software change. It shows once again how dependent we are on the chosen technical infrastructure. This dependency is particularly risky for public authorities and security-critical infrastructures. Only those who position themselves digitally sovereign will remain capable of acting in the long term.

What's more, US providers are subject to the Cloud Act. This means that US authorities have worldwide access to data, even if it is stored in European data centres. What happens to the data remains unclear – because closed-source software such as Skype or Microsoft Teams are black boxes. Transparency? Not a chance.

Open Source as a way out of dependency

The good news is that there are alternatives. European open source solutions offer the same user-friendliness and functionality as proprietary solutions – but without having to compromise on aspects of data protection and security. Their source code is open and independently verifiable, so backdoors can be ruled out. They are hosted in European or German data centres and, of course, meet the requirements of the GDPR.

OpenTalk is one such alternative. As a modern video conferencing solution with open source architecture, OpenTalk offers the highest security standards and full transparency. Users retain control over their data and remain flexible – without forced migrations.

Act now – for true digital sovereignty

The end of Skype is an opportunity: companies and public authorities should take the opportunity to free themselves from dependence on US providers. Open source enables digital sovereignty – and the best time to make the switch is now.