Introduction
Amidst the current Jordanian economy, where the unemployment rate stands at 21.4% (1), with even higher rates among the youth, a crucial question arises: Why do many institutions continue to use proprietary off-the-shelf software that costs millions of dollars for governmental institutions and various systems, while there is a clear lack of sufficient utilization of talented minds and educated labor? How can open-source software provide us with a golden key to break the shackles of technological dependency and achieve digital independence, justice, and national sovereignty?
Open source refers to software whose source code is available to everyone, allowing users to inspect, modify, and understand how it works. These software solutions are built on principles of transparency and community collaboration, where developers collectively contribute to the improvement and customization of the software to meet specific needs.
In contrast, closed source software keeps its source code secret, with companies not allowing external parties to inspect or modify it. Such software is typically sold under licenses that require substantial financial fees, and users cannot make changes or understand the code's workings without permission from the owning company. These companies also provide technical support and updates for the closed software for additional fees.
Successful examples of open source software include the Linux operating system, widely used in servers and computers, the Firefox web browser, and the content management system Drupal. These software solutions are not only free but also offer flexibility and adaptability to meet various user requirements.
You might ask: Why is it important for any user to access the source code?
Access to the source code in open source software is indeed significant. When the code is available, users and developers can examine it to ensure there are no security vulnerabilities, unwanted hidden functions, or potential access to private visitor information. This contrasts with closed source software, which may access and share visitor data for marketing, political, or other purposes.
Thus, open source promotes trust and security through complete transparency and enables developers to tailor software to specific needs. Finally, the source code serves as a valuable resource for students and new developers to learn how to write efficient and secure programs.
A state's ability to control and manage digital data and information related to individuals, institutions, and governments achieves national sovereignty without relying on foreign technology or software. This concept is increasingly important in the digital age, where technology plays a crucial role in national security, the economy, education, government services, and other vital sectors. Open-source software supports maintaining the independence of individuals, institutions, and states in controlling their digital data, preventing dependency on others in this regard. By making the source code available to everyone, countries can develop and modify software to meet their specific needs, preventing foreign companies from monopolizing technology and controlling digital data and information at both governmental and individual levels.
This includes investing in training local personnel on the latest technologies and enhancing their skills in areas such as cybersecurity, programming, and network management. Additionally, supporting local research and development can lead to the innovation of new technologies that better meet the state's needs. Enhancing these capabilities helps reduce reliance on foreign solutions and technology, thereby enhancing digital independence and national security, and ensuring the state is well-prepared to handle cyber threats effectively.
Achieving national digital sovereignty requires the ability of states and institutions to make independent decisions regarding digital policies and technology. By adopting open-source, governments can reduce unwanted external influences, allowing them to develop internal policies that align with national needs. This approach enhances decision-making independence, ensures data security, and prioritizes local innovation.
According to a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), open-source software can contribute to cost savings of up to 30% in government institutions. Furthermore, a study by Forrester Research indicated that institutions adopting open-source software enjoy greater flexibility and faster innovation compared to those relying on closed-source software (2).
The conflict has driven countries like Russia and China to seek independence and influence through globally accessible open-source projects. China has established many high-performing electronic platforms, with approximately 87.4% of Chinese companies currently using open-source technologies (3). China is also the second-largest country in the world with users and developers in open-source (4). China aims to rely on these technologies to become independent from American technologies and achieve a central position in the open-source software ecosystem. Similarly, Russia utilized the withdrawal of American companies from the Russian technological field in 2022 to declare digital national sovereignty as a golden opportunity, using open-source as a tool and weapon in this significant step (5).
In the European Union, open-source contributed to a 0.4% to 0.6% increase in GDP, significantly contributing to a 10% increase in GDP (6). Countries like Brazil, India, and South Africa have also utilized open-source at the governmental and service level through effective systems in health, digital document management, instant reporting, and other successful systems.
Setting Policies and Legal Frameworks
Governments play a crucial role in setting policies and legal frameworks that promote the use and development of open-source. These policies can include encouraging the use of open-source in government sectors, providing support for open-source technical projects and initiatives, and promoting education and awareness about the benefits of these technologies. For example, the Indian Minister of Information Technology issued a statement in 2011 recommending the use of the Linux operating system in the government sector (7).
Investment in Research and Development
Governments play a role in funding research and development related to open-source software and enhancing technological innovation capabilities within the country. These investments can contribute to developing new technical solutions based on open-source to meet local market needs.
Public-Private Partnerships
By establishing partnerships with the private sector and academic institutions, governments can promote the use and development of open-source. This includes fostering collaboration in software development and sharing human and technological resources to improve the quality of technical solutions.
When governments adopt open-source in their institutions and systems, they significantly contribute to achieving national digital sovereignty and technological independence in several ways:
Control Over Technology and Data: By using open-source, governments can access and fully understand the source codes of software. This allows them to customize the software according to their needs without relying on foreign commercial companies and exposing data to external entities.
Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvement: Open-source software is often less expensive in terms of licensing and maintenance compared to proprietary closed-source software. Therefore, governments can save money and invest in developing technological infrastructure, thereby reducing unemployment rates. For example, Malaysia successfully saved 80% of the total cost for licensing proprietary software and achieved a 30.5% cost reduction overall (7).
Cybersecurity and Transparency: Open-source software allows governments to openly inspect source codes, increasing cybersecurity levels and reducing the risk of security vulnerabilities. It also enhances transparency and accountability, as citizens and civil society can examine the software used by the government.
Fostering Innovation and Technological Independence: By utilizing open-source, governments can enhance their capabilities in research and technological innovation. This helps in developing innovative solutions and advanced technologies that meet internal needs without relying on foreign technologies.
Promoting Technological Sustainability: Using open-source contributes to building a sustainable technological environment based on open-source solutions, which supports the long-term sustainability of government technology.
Overall, when governments adopt open-source, they contribute to strengthening national digital sovereignty and technological independence by enhancing security, reducing costs, improving efficiency, fostering transparency, and supporting technological innovation.
Conclusion
Why not transition towards national sovereignty and avoid external policies when we can achieve decision-making independence and protect data and information security through adopting open-source? This approach could make Jordan technologically independent, and sovereign over its resources.
References
Department of statistics, (2024) The Unemployment rate at 21.4% during the first quarter of 2024.
Forrester, (2023) The Software Composition Analysis Landscape, Q1
ELENA ZINOVIEVA, (2023) Digital Sovereignty in Russia and China
Alice Panier, (2023) Geopolitical motivations for governments' support of open source software
