= Europe needs Free Software to master its digital infrastructure =
[ Online lesen: https://fsfe.org/news/2024/news-20240701-01.de.html ]
The FSFE calls upon the European Commission to use Free Software to
ensure a secure and resilient digital infrastructure. Software freedom
will also benefit the economy, civil society and democracy.
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) provided last evening its
input to the European Commission's consultation [1] on the white paper
"How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs?". As an advocate
for software freedom, the FSFE underscores the crucial role of Free
Software in building secure and resilient digital infrastructure for
Europe while strengthening economy, democracy and civil society alike.
Challenges around digital infrastructure occur at global, regional and
local levels, often revolving around control and access. Collaboration
and openness are playing just as important role as the capability and
skills to swiftly and effectively fix issues. Challenges addressed by
the White paper could be addressed by redirecting IT investments in
software freedom instead of procuring closed source, proprietary
software. This approach not only boosts the European IT landscape and
creates jobs but also saves costs and resources in the medium and long
term by avoiding the need to repeatedly reinvent the the wheel.
“The European digital infrastructure, the European tech market, the IT
skills of Europeans and civil society would greatly benefit if
investments in software adhered to the principle of “Public money?
Public Code!” We need software that fosters the sharing of good ideas
and solutions. Like this we will be able to manage and improve IT
services and digital infrastructure all over Europe. We need software
that guarantees freedom of choice, access, and competition. We need
software that helps public administrations regain full control of their
critical digital infrastructure, allowing them to become and remain
independent from a handful of companies. Therefore, laws and programs
are needed, that publicly financed software developed for public sector
must be made publicly available under a Free Software licence.
Investment in the Free Software ecosystem will pay off quickly while
strengthening Europe infrastructure, economy, democracy and civil
society alike.”, demands Alexander Sander, FSFE’s Senior Policy
Consultant.
The "Public Money? Public Code!" [2] initiative aims to establish Free
Software as the standard for publicly funded software. The "Public
Money? Public Code!" initiative of the Free Software Foundation Europe
is supported by over 200 organizations and administrations.
1: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/1…
2: https://fsfe.org/publiccode.eu
== Über die Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Die Free Software Foundation Europe ist ein gemeinnütziger Verein, der
Menschen im selbstbestimmten Umgang mit Technik unterstützt. Software
beeinflusst sämtliche Bereiche unseres Lebens. Es ist wichtig, dass
diese Technik uns hilft, statt uns einzuschränken. Freie Software gibt
allen das Recht, Programme für jeden Zweck zu verwenden, zu verstehen,
zu verbreiten und zu verbessern. Diese Freiheiten stärken andere
Grundrechte wie die Redefreiheit, die Pressefreiheit und das Recht auf
Privatsphäre.
Die FSFE hilft Menschen und Organisationen dabei, zu verstehen, wie
Freie Software zu Freiheit, Transparenz und Selbstbestimmung beiträgt.
Sie stärkt Nutzerrechte, indem sie Hürden für den Einsatz Freier
Software beseitigt, ermutigt Menschen zum Einsatz und zur Entwicklung
Freier Software, und stellt Ressourcen für alle bereit, die Freie
Software in Europa voranbringen wollen.
https://fsfe.org