How proprietary formats have become Microsoft’s main tool for lock-in
This article examines how Microsoft uses proprietary file formats like DOCX and XLSX to create user dependency and lock-in. It argues that these formats prioritize corporate control over open standards, effectively tethering users to the Microsoft ecosystem.
Why it matters
Understanding proprietary formats is crucial for digital sovereignty and ensuring that data remains accessible and portable across different software platforms.
In the previous article , we explored the importance of standards: how the unspoken agreements governing electrical sockets, paper sizes and file formats form the foundations of a world in which choices remain open and power is not concentrated in the hands of a single player. We concluded with a question: if open standards are so beneficial, why aren’t they universally adopted?
The article adopts a critical stance toward corporate monopolies and advocates for open standards, which is a common perspective in open-source and digital rights advocacy.
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