Open source strategy for the European Union

Towards a European Open Source Union?

The European Commission highlights the use of Free and Open Source Software, with a 3-year strategy. Digital policies are now a major issue for the European Union. Beyond the economic aspects, digital policies raise questions of sovereignty and competitiveness between the various digital powers, particularly in the face of the American and Chinese giants. Thus the geopolitical and democratic stakes are high. It is in this context that the European Union is seeking to make its mark with open source and free software.

An open source software strategy for 2020-2023

A 16-pages document: "Open Source Software Strategy 2020-2023 clarifies the EU's desired strategy for open source software.

Public and private companies are encouraged to favour the use of free software and open source. The European Commission favours the use of open source software when it is equivalent "in terms of functionality, total cost and cyber security.

It also wants to set up an Open Source Program Office (OSPO) to facilitate the implementation of this strategy. According to the European Commission, open source code is consistent with the idea of public service and avoids "technological lock-in". The CNIL (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés) welcomes this desire to extend open source software in European countries.

What are the benefits of open source software for the European Union?

• Increasing Europe's digital autonomy

• Contribute to the emergence of European players

• Harmonising the European market

• Encourage co-development and sharing of sources

• Ensuring data security
• Fostering digital sovereignty and competitiveness for EU states