US sanctions push the Netherlands to build a NixOS-based alternative to Microsoft
US sanctions force The Netherlands off Microsoft and toward alternative NixOS
After US sanctions on the International Criminal Court cut its chief prosecutor off from Microsoft services, the Dutch government launched DAWO, a Digital Autonomous Work Environment. The project aims to replace US-made software with a NixOS-based ecosystem. Trials are running now, with the first release expected by the end of 2027.
When the U.S. government imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, it also meant that its chief prosecutor lost access to Microsoft services, including email.
- guidoiaquinti
Several International Criminal Court (ICC) judges have been unable to access their bank accounts or receive routine salary payments and financial transfers due to financial blockages triggered by United States sanctions. In the country where they live
- andsoitis
The more countries trade with each other and depend on each other, the better things are for peace and human advancement.
The zero-sum mindset that's de rigueur at the moment needs to die soon or the world that we'll inhabit is gonna suck.
- HelloUsername
Related: "Dutch governments builds alternative for Microsoft based on NixOS (dawo.community)" 25.sep.2026 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49841563 581 comments
- silverFork
It is more like self imposed sanction against US made products. There are now tons of open source operating systems and applications that can replace Microsoft products, which are basically some old programs. The replacements cost vastly less for use and support.
- mg794613
Never again America.
All your negotiation power across the world, gone, because of one Orange person.
And not because he secretly took power, because you elected him, twice.
- stasomatic
I am confused, help.
Linux Foundation is HQ'd in SF. Linus lives in the US.
NixOS needs Linux. There are many US devs and corps that contribute. How can this be a clear-cut divorce? Is NL going to fork, ala Red Flag Linux?
What about WhatsApp? IG? (I don't use them, but everyone else around me does).
Man, this is all bonkers, the damage is done even if the next election goes a saner way.
- Zigurd
More than half of US tech industry revenue comes from outside the US. Tech industry CEOs kowtow to an administration that is destroying US soft power and trust in US technology. How smart was that decision? When and how does that decision get reconsidered?
- paulvnickerson
They didn't have to go with NixOS...
- oytis
European bureaucracy has a thing for weird technology - Scala, Flatpak, now NixOS. But still better than being dependent on proprietary software not made in Europe
- nullify88
Hopefully this will cause Denmark and its banks to issue more Dankort cards