Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 2 hrs ago
Dutch tax agency cancels Microsoft 365 cloud rollout
The Netherlands’ Tax and Customs Administration has cancelled its planned Microsoft 365 public-cloud rollout.
The plan began in 2025, and about 5,000 employees had moved to the service before the government paused it.
An assessment found problems with security, data control and future planning in the chosen setup, including concerns about confidential information passing through US servers.
The review also warned of dependence on one vendor and a lack of a suitable exit plan.
The agency will keep its existing Microsoft software for now, rather than switch immediately to one open-source office suite.
Email and calendar services are due to move on-premises in 2027, with European open-source storage and collaboration services planned for later in 2027 and 2028.
The change is part of a wider effort to increase digital sovereignty, or government control over its technology and data.
The Netherlands’ Tax and Customs Administration has abandoned its planned Microsoft 365 public-cloud rollout.
The government plans to move mail and calendar services on-premises in 2027, followed by European open-source solutions for personal storage and collaboration in 2027 and 2028.
An ICT assessment said the planned cloud design fell short on information security, information processing and future-proofing.
The assessment also raised concerns about data confidentiality, encryption, vendor lock-in and the lack of an adequate exit strategy.
The government will keep its existing Microsoft software for now.
- Who
- The Netherlands’ Tax and Customs Administration.
- What
- It abandoned its planned Microsoft 365 public-cloud rollout and plans an on-premises and open-source approach.
- When
- The cancellation was reported on October 13, 2026. The rollout had been planned to finish by the end of 2026.
- Where
- The Netherlands.
- Why
- An ICT assessment raised concerns about security, data control, future-proofing, vendor lock-in and digital sovereignty.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Netherlands planned to switch to Microsoft 365.
The Dutch Advisory Council on ICT Assessment recommended reversing the public-cloud rollout.
The government paused the plan.
The latest announcement replaced the planned rollout with an on-premises and open-source approach.
The government plans to provide mail and calendar services on-premises.
The government plans to introduce European open-source solutions for personal storage and collaboration.
- Employees migrated
- About 5,000
- Assessment recommendation
- June
- Government pause
- July
- Mail and calendar services
- Planned on-premises in 2027
- Personal storage and collaboration
- European open-source solutions planned for 2027 and 2028
What people are saying
Europe has clearly heard the message on digital sovereignty.
In 2027, the provision for mail and calendar will be realized on-premises. Later in 2027 and 2028, European open-source solutions for personal storage and collaboration will follow. This allows us to work toward a sustainable and more autonomous solution for these functionalities.
Sources
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