The European Commission has introduced Element Pro as a self-hosted alternative to Microsoft Teams. This move aims to provide greater control over communication data and systems, a stark contrast to reliance on Microsoft's cloud. However, feedback from Commission officials has been overwhelmingly negative, with some questioning the tool's usefulness and usability. One official famously described the platform as "absolute shit," while another doubted its added value compared to Teams. The comparison was so unfavorable that one official suggested any conflict with the U.S. would be lost if the Commission had to rely on Element Pro. Element, a U.K.-based company, offers functionality similar to Teams, including video calls, file sharing, and project-specific chat rooms. Despite the criticisms, Element CEO Matthew Hodgson acknowledged potential "teething issues" and "cognitive dissonance" associated with switching to a new application. He also highlighted that Element Pro is used by international organizations like the United Nations and NATO. The Commission's decision to host Element on its own infrastructure reflects a desire for data sovereignty. This contrasts with Teams, where the Commission feels they only have Microsoft's assurance against data intrusion.