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The year 2022 in Review: Open Source and Digital Sovereignty in Europe

2023-01-01

Open Source and Digital Sovereignty: 2022 - A Year of Solidification and Strategic Shifts

2022 marked a year of both solidification and strategic shifts in the relationship between Open Source software (FOSS) and digital sovereignty in Europe. While the concept of digital sovereignty gained further traction, discussions evolved to encompass not only data localization and security but also the broader implications for innovation, economic growth, and geopolitical influence.

The Rise of Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs)

One of the notable trends in 2022 was the increasing prominence of Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs). These entities, established within organizations to manage Open Source strategy, adoption, and contributions, gained recognition as crucial for effectively leveraging FOSS. The OSPO Alliance and other initiatives promoted the creation and development of OSPOs across Europe, both in the public and private sectors. The European Commission itself established its own OSPO, signaling a commitment to integrating Open Source into its internal operations and its “Think Open” plan, focused on internal IT.

National Strategies Take Shape

Several European countries made significant strides in developing and implementing national Open Source strategies:

  • France: The "Mission Logiciels Libres" within the DINUM continued its work promoting FOSS adoption across government ministries. The BlueHats community, an initiative aimed at bringing together public sector FOSS users, gained further momentum, and organized several events, as well as publishing guides. The publication of the "Open Source Monitor France", a collaborative study, provided valuable data on the state of FOSS adoption in the country. The CNLL continued its work of promoting FOSS, highlighting that the open source market in France had increased 40-fold in under 20 years, reaching almost €6 billion by 2022, and was projected to continue its growth. They also organized the Open Source Experience event in Paris, gathering the FOSS community and industry leaders.
  • Germany: The establishment of the Centre for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration (ZenDiS) marked a significant step towards a more coordinated approach to Open Source within the German government. The Sovereign Tech Fund, aimed at supporting critical digital infrastructure, also began its operations. The Open Source Business Alliance (OSBA) continued its advocacy work and published a study on security in open source and proprietary software.
  • Spain: Spain published its "Guía de publicación de software para la reutilización" a comprehensive guide to publishing open source software, demonstrating a commitment to sharing and reusing code within the public sector.
  • Italy: The "Three-Year Plan for ICT in Public Administration 2022-2024" emphasized Open Source as a driver for innovation and efficiency. The Department for Digital Transformation also played a key role in promoting OSS adoption.
  • Sweden: The Swedish Agency for Digital Government (DIGG) continued to promote Open Source as a strategic choice, and the municipality of Stockholm was identified as one of the pioneers for the implementation of FOSS solutions in the public sector.
  • Other Countries: Similar initiatives and discussions took place across Europe, demonstrating a growing interest in Open Source as a tool for achieving digital sovereignty, with the report on “The Impact of Open Source on the EU Economy” providing quantitative data to support the claims that FOSS was beneficial for the European economy.

The "Cloud de Confiance" Debate

France's "cloud de confiance" strategy became a focal point for discussions around digital sovereignty. While intended to promote secure and trusted cloud services, the strategy faced criticism for its reliance on licensed US technologies, with many arguing that it undermined true European autonomy. The debate highlighted the complexities of balancing security requirements with the desire to foster a strong European cloud ecosystem, while also raising concerns about the influence of large integrators and the exclusion of innovative SMEs. The partnership between OVHcloud and Google to create a "trusted cloud" offering based on Google's Anthos technology sparked controversy.

The Role of Open Standards and Interoperability

The importance of open standards and interoperability was repeatedly emphasized throughout 2022. Organizations like the CNLL and APELL advocated for policies that promote open standards as a way to avoid vendor lock-in and foster a more competitive and innovative digital market. The European Commission also recognized the importance of open standards in its various initiatives, including the Digital Europe Programme and the Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative.

Beyond Technology: A Holistic Approach

Discussions in 2022 increasingly recognized that digital sovereignty is not just a technological issue but also encompasses economic, political, and social dimensions. The need for a holistic approach, encompassing skills development, public awareness, and a strong European tech industry, was repeatedly highlighted. The year also saw discussions around the need to integrate ethical considerations into the development and deployment of digital technologies, particularly in areas like AI. The concept of digital sovereignty was also framed within the broader context of the European Union's values and principles.

Looking Ahead

2022 laid the groundwork for more concrete actions and policy developments in the years to come. The growing recognition of Open Source as a strategic asset, the increasing engagement of public administrations, and the ongoing debates around key initiatives like the "cloud de confiance" all pointed towards a future where Open Source will play an increasingly important role in shaping Europe's digital landscape. The momentum generated in 2022 set the stage for a critical period where the EU and its member states would need to translate their ambitions into tangible results, addressing the challenges of funding, skills development, and market fragmentation to build a truly sovereign and resilient digital future.