= 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.