Switzerland mandates government agencies use open-source software

Switzerland has enacted a law mandating government agencies to utilize open-source software (OSS) and to publish any software developed for the public sector under open-source licenses. This initiative, part of the "Federal Law on the Use of Electronic Means for the Fulfillment of Government Tasks" (EMBAG), aims to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in government operations. The law requires that the source code be released unless restricted by third-party rights or security concerns. Additionally, it mandates the release of non-personal and non-security-sensitive government data, promoting an "open by default" approach to governance.

This move aligns with similar trends across Europe, where countries like France and Germany have adopted OSS in various government functions. For instance, France's National Gendarmerie primarily uses Linux, and Schleswig-Holstein in Germany has transitioned thousands of computers from Microsoft to Linux and LibreOffice. The European Union has also been involved in enhancing OSS security through initiatives like the Free and Open Source Software Auditing (FOSSA) project.

In contrast, the United States has limited support for OSS, with no laws mandating its use. The U.S. Federal Source Code Policy requires only a portion of new custom-developed code to be released as OSS. If Switzerland's approach proves successful, it may serve as a model for potential changes in OSS adoption in both Europe and the U.S.