[FSFE PR][EN] Freedomvote.nl helps voters compare party positions on digital freedom in upcoming Dutch election

[press at fsfe.org]

 = Freedomvote.nl helps voters compare party positions on digital
 freedom in upcoming Dutch election =

[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2017/news-20170302-01.en.html ]

Today FSFE Netherlands, NLnet, ISPConnect, and Open Source & Overheid
launch Freedomvote.nl [1] to help inform voters in the upcoming Dutch
general election, which is held on 15 March 2017. Freedomvote.nl
provides guidance to voters on the topic of digital freedom, based on
eight questions.

The website allows voters to compare their political views with those of
the parties participating in the election. The questions cover the
topics of Free and Open Source Software, open standards, open data, open
science, open education, surveillance, net neutrality and software
patents. Voters can answer these questions for themselves, save them,
and then compare the results with the answers from the political
parties. Descriptions are added to all the questions, to provide
context.

    "Freedomvote fills a gap for the Dutch elections." explains Nico
    Rikken from FSFE Netherlands. "As only a couple of parties have a
    formal stance on themes of digital freedom, Freedomvote encourages
    parties to take a stance, so voters who care about digital freedoms
    know what they'll be voting for."

Unlike its Swiss predecessor [2], the Dutch Freedomvote model represents
the political parties rather than individual candidates, and thus
reflects the strong party orientation in the Netherlands' political
system. Freedomvote.nl is based on Free Software source code developed
for Freedomvote.ch. Further software improvements are in the works,
intended for others wanting to run their own Freedomvote in the future.

 1: https://freedomvote.nl
 2: https://freedomvote.ch/

  == About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==

  Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to
  control technology. Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our
  lives; and it is important that this technology empowers rather than
  restricts us. Free Software gives everybody the rights to use,
  understand, adapt and share software. These rights help support other
  fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, press and privacy.

  The FSFE helps individuals and organisations to understand how Free
  Software contributes to freedom, transparency, and self-determination.
  It enhances users' rights by abolishing barriers to Free Software
  adoption, encourage people to use and develop Free Software, and
  provide resources to enable everyone to further promote Free Software
  in Europe.

  http://fsfe.org