Switzerland has recently enacted a law requiring its government to use open-source software (OSS) and disclose the source code of any software developed by or for the public sector. According to ZDNet, this “public body, public code” approach makes government operations more transparent while increasing security and efficiency. Such a move would likely fail in the U.S. but is becoming increasingly common throughout Europe.
According to Switzerland’s new “Federal Law on the Use of Electronic Means for the Fulfillment of Government Tasks” (EMBAG), government agencies must use open-source software throughout the public sector.
The new law allows the codifies allowing Switzerland to release its software under OSS licenses. Not just that; it requires the source code be released that way “unless the rights of third parties or security-related reasons would exclude or restrict this.”
In addition to mandating the OSS code, EMBAG also requires Swiss government agencies to release non-personal and non-security-sensitive government data to the public. Calling this Open Government Data, this aspect of the new law contributes to a dual “open by default” approach that should allow for easier reuse of software and data while also making governance more transparent.
That “security related reasons” will likely applied everytime and makes everything behind closed door. I won’t trust this. Seen too much “security” shenanigans.
It’s a start. It’s better to have something (this law) and have the opportunity to improve it rather than having nothing at all. The end goal is not reached but that a good step in the good direction.
Open Source provides better security than closed source. Hands down. No one to tie the writer to check by anyone and everyone for closed source. Just exactly what the fuck will closed source do any level of security. Don’t tell me anything. IDGAF about you lies. Go steal all the Monero in the biggest and best market available or STFU.
Ok, so when I’m next driving through a Swiss tunnel, and suddenly the tunnel twists inside itself infinitely, I can blame FreeCAD.
Hahaha, bro, I think you may have just discovered the next step in quantum theory.
The Typhon Expanse strikes again!
Is it just a tunnel or the colider?
Good news. I’m not sure what “security concerns” means or how broadly it might be applied, but hopefully it doesn’t mean people can’t audit the security methods implemented (which would be a dumb move).
Sounds like that carve out could easily be abused to defeat the entire purpose.
They plan to do that with the new eID they are cooking… But as far as understood, it should become a SSI Wallet in some sort.
Any government that is trying to promote “transparency” and their own national security should be using open source software.
Do they list anywhere what software they’ve chosen for certain tasks? I’m very curious which CAD software they’ll use for engineering and which video editor they’ll be using for media.
Removed by mod
You realize that software exists other than operating systems right?
Removed by mod
I think it would mostly apply to software other than operating systems, really.
Weird custom one-off databases that only a government would need, mostly.
The “third party rights” is a loophole you could drive a truck through, if you wanted to circumvent this law.
commenter is talking about operating systems. You realize there are other comments here too, right?
Yeah but it’s written like operating systems are thought of as something “written by/for” a government. That’s pretty rare, whereas other pieces of software are far more common.
It’s also completely backwards: “the government will use only open source software” is the opposite direction from “software the government makes will be open sourced”
Does it mean that the swiss government will become a major open source contributor ?
Wise decision. If public funds pay for something, then that thing should be public.
