EU Call for evidence - impact of open source

[Emma Hain]

Hi All

The QGIS Project has finalised their submission for the EU's Towards European Open Digital
Ecosystems.

It's a really interesting read (you can read it here). I liked this: QGIS.org provides the secure, stable core, while the global community and market demand drive innovation.

Other bits that I liked in particular, were the approaches to:

1. Cybersecurity
2. Interoperability
3. Policy to consider Open Source first
4. Policy to enable procurement to enable recurring funding
5. How the private sector pushes innovation
6. Academia- "Research-to-Core" pipelines
7. Education investment - advanced programming expertise for sustainability
8. Tenderers offering services to also be contributors to the projects in some way

And like Bruce Macavney, I go on as there is so much more...

If you have anything that stands out, and that you think apply to Australia, let us know as we are looking at writing a blog about aspects that could be considered by our region. 

Kind regards

Em

Emma Hain — Product Manager/Senior GIS Analyst
em...@north-road.com

North Road Cartography • Development • Spatial Analysis north-road.com FOSS4G 2026 August 30 – September 5, Hiroshima, Japan QGIS User Conference 5-6 October, LAAX, Switzerland

[Adam Steer]

Hi Emma

That's a great read, and hits many important points - all you've mentioned are really great!

If we had the opportunity to deliver a similar report in Australia, I would broaden the scope beyond the QGIS application itself to open geospatial fundamentals which QGIS relies on. A response from OSGeo is also listed, however it is almost identical, and isn't clear whether it's from a local chapter or not (OSGeo being currently US based is maybe not the right org to do a submission...).

In an Australian context we'd need to add words on impacts to indigenous data sovereignty  - essentially anything uploaded to a US (or US subsidiary) owned service can be accessed on request by uS government agencies as long as the request is legal under US law (the CARE act scope is broad and deep!). 

I'd also raise the concept of avoiding a geopolitical kill switch a lot higher, into the introduction. While the idea is discussed loosely, I'd strengthen that risk management and mitigation approach.

Those are really tweaks. The document is solid gold.

Thanks for sharing!

Adam

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Dr. Adam Steer
Open for consulting

https://iamadamsteer.com

https://spatialised.net

[Emma Hain]

Thanks Adama

yes the geopolitical kill switch I think is quite a concern that is getting more real. Love the point about the indigenous data sovereignty as well. 

Kind regards

Em

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[Adam Steer]

Yeah, it continues to puzzle me that in our culture of risk management for everything, the risks posed by reliance on tools we can't make decisions about is a glaring standout.

Also I need to correct myself. The relevant US legislation is the CLOUD act. 

Cheers,

Adam