[FSFE] The Netherlands: Important points for the election

[press at fsfe.org]

 = The Netherlands: Important points for the election =

[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20230906-01.it.html ]

The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is committed to empower users
to control technolgy to digital civil rights, transparency and control
over technology. It does this by promoting Free Software (also known as
Open Source Software). In addition, Free Software promotes innovation
and prevents vendor lock-in. Digital sovereignty is only possible with
Free Software.

Our society is becoming increasingly digital, so it is crucial that
public values are also safeguarded in the digital domain. The upcoming
elections and term of office are an opportunity to take important steps
on current themes such as *artificial intelligence (AI)* and *digital
commons*.

FSFE asks parties to work on the following action points:

- Strengthen the 'open, unless' policy that requires government to
  choose Free Software by default This is crucial for transparency and
  digital sovereignty, so embed this policy in legislation. Support
  governments in selecting and developing Free Software with a central
  expertise center. Identify government tasks where control and
  explainability is necessary and ensure this by applying the principle
  of ‘Public Money? Public Code!’ [1].

- Encourage wise reuse of software by investing in *digital commons* to
  make sure others can benefit from the improvements. Support the
  adaptation and development of these joint Free Software solutions with
  knowledge and financial resources. Use the European knowledge network
  and the space of European digitization funds for this.

- Improve the oversight and transparency of *algorithms* in government
  use. The further filling of the national *algorithm register* is a
  first step in this respect. In addition, increase transparency by
  publishing the *training data* and *source code* of those algorithms
  under a Free license, as we have argued before [2].

- Pupils and parents should not be forced to use proprietry software
  that often even spies on them. Place additional requirements on IT
  solutions for *knowledge and educational institutions* to help them
  maintain sovereignty in a digital world. Support institutions in the
  use of Free Software to prevent vendor-lock in and to promote
  independent digital skills.

- Stop wasting energy and strategically important raw materials by
  *extending the life of electronics*. Make sure that the end of support
  does not mean the end of the service life. To this end, empower
  consumers and businesses to *repair* hardware and replace software
  with Free Software that they control themselves. This call has been
  supported by the signatories of our open letter 'The universal right
  to install any software on any device' [3].

The FSFE is happy to elaborate on these points.

 1: https://fsfe.org/activities/publiccode/publiccode.it.html
 2: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20220330-01.it.html
 3: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/openletter.html%20

  == Informazioni sulla Free Software Foundation Europe ==

  La Free Software Foundation Europe è una Onlus che incoraggia gli utenti
  ad avere il controllo della tecnologia. Il Software è presente in tutti
  gli aspetti della nostra vita ed è importante che questa tecnologia ci
  aiuti anziché limitarci. Il Software Libero garantisce a tutti il
  diritto di usare, studiare, modificare e condividere il software. Questi
  diritti aiutano a sostenere altre libertà fondamentali come il diritto
  di parola, la libertà di stampa e la privacy.

  La FSFE aiuta persone e organizzazioni a comprendere come il Software
  Libero contribuisce alla libertà, alla trasparenza e
  all'auto-determinazione.  Potenziamo i diritti degli utenti abolendo le
  barriere che esistono nell'adottare il Software Libero, incoraggiamo le
  persone ad usare e sviluppare il Software Libero e forniamo le risorse
  per consentire a tutti di promuovere ulteriormente il Software Libero in
  Europa. 

  https://fsfe.org