{
  "id": 11494179,
  "title": "EU's Microsoft Teams Alternative Draws Bad Reviews From Officials",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/eus-microsoft-teams-alternative-draws-bad-reviews-from-officials",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-02T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Slashdot",
    "slug": "slashdot",
    "url": "https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/02/1743247/eus-microsoft-teams-alternative-draws-bad-reviews-from-officials"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The European Commission has launched an internal communication platform called Element Pro as an alternative to Microsoft Teams. However, the reviews from officials have been largely negative. Politico reported that some officials found the software to be \"absolute shit\" and questioned its usefulness and usability. One official even suggested that if the U.S. ever switched to Element Pro, the United States would \"instantly win the war.\" The Commission hosts Element Pro on its own infrastructure, giving it greater control over its communications data compared to Microsoft Teams. While Element Pro functions similarly to Teams, officials noted that there will be some initial challenges and \"cognitive dissonance\" when switching to a new app. Element Pro, developed by a U.K. company, is used by governments and public-sector organizations in Europe, including the United Nations and NATO.",
  "summary": "The European Commission has rolled out Element Pro as a self-hosted \"sovereign back-up\" to Microsoft Teams and the reviews aren't great. Politico reported that several officials questioned its usefulness and usability, with one calling it \"absolute shit.\" Politico reports: \"I don't understand the added value here,\" one official wrote on an internal staff message board, seen by POLITICO. Another…",
  "key_points": [
    "EU launches internal communication platform Element Pro as Microsoft Teams alternative",
    "Officials criticize Element Pro as \"absolute shit\" and question its usefulness",
    "Element Pro hosted on EU's own infrastructure for greater data control"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}