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Hamburg, November 9, 2026 – Hamburg’s educational sector is set for a significant digital transformation. The city, in collaboration with five other German states, has signed a framework agreement to phase out the use of digital applications provided by US tech giants Microsoft and Google in schools. The initiative aims to enhance data sovereignty and protect student information from potential foreign access.
Reducing Dependency on US Software Giants
The move is part of a broader effort by Hamburg, Berlin, Bremen, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate to reduce their technological dependency on major international software providers. Currently, many schools in the Hanseatic city still rely on programs from these corporations, which results in data being processed via servers in the United States. This practice has raised concerns regarding data protection, as legal frameworks in the US may allow authorities to access such data.
Transitioning to Nextcloud
To address these privacy concerns, Hamburg plans to implement software from the Stuttgart-based company Nextcloud. According to reports from the news agency dpa, the transition will cover essential digital tools, including:
- Email services
- Chat platforms
- Videoconferencing software
- File exchange and cloud storage systems
Experts highlight that Nextcloud offers a more secure alternative, primarily because it is an open-source platform. Its transparent architecture allows for collaborative development with users, ensuring better control over data storage and security protocols.
A Proven Solution
The state government of Schleswig-Holstein has already been utilizing Nextcloud programs for several years, serving as a model for this new multi-state agreement. With the framework contract now signed by Hamburg and its five partner states, the transition process is expected to begin in the coming months.
While the focus is currently on the school system, it remains unclear whether the rest of Hamburg’s public administration will follow suit and adopt similar open-source solutions. The decision marks a significant step in Germany’s ongoing efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure and prioritize data privacy within public institutions.
Source: NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk), dpa
