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ICC Poised to Replace Microsoft With Germany’s OpenDesk to Bolster Tech Autonomy

The court frames a shift to a sovereign German platform as protection for its independence following U.S. sanctions.

Overview

  • Reporting indicates the International Criminal Court is close to signing a contract with Germany’s state-linked Zendis to deploy OpenDesk in place of Microsoft software.
  • The planned transition would cover roughly 1,800 workstations at The Hague-based tribunal, according to the coverage.
  • Officials cite the need to reduce dependence on U.S. tech after sanctions and a period when Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan reportedly lost access to his Microsoft email.
  • ICC IT lead Osvaldo Zavala Giler said the move is meant to strengthen technological autonomy even if it is costly and inconvenient in the short term.
  • Microsoft has characterized Khan’s email issue as an isolated incident, while other German institutions, including the public health service and the Bundeswehr, are also pursuing OpenDesk.