EU's €2 Trillion Budget Proposal Criticized for Overlooking Open Source Technology
On July 16, the European Commission proposed a record-breaking €2 trillion seven-year budget to boost autonomy, competitiveness, and resilience in the EU. However, the spending plan has been criticized for omitting a crucial component: open source technology. According to The Next Web, open source software, built and maintained by communities rather than private companies alone, is the foundation of today's digital infrastructure.
The €2 trillion budget addresses cybersecurity, innovation, and other key digital pillars, but fails to allocate specific funding for open source software. This omission is particularly concerning given Europe's push for digital sovereignty and cybersecurity, as well as recent legislation emphasizing the importance of open source technology. "Open source software offers transparency, security, and flexibility that proprietary alternatives cannot match," said a spokesperson for The Next Web.
The European Commission's budget proposal has been met with criticism from experts who argue that open source technology is essential for the EU's digital infrastructure. According to The Next Web, open source software has been ever-present in the digital infrastructure that European industry and public sector institutions depend on since the 1990s. From commercial devices and services to government systems and research projects, open source powers the internet and countless platforms.
The omission of open source technology from the budget proposal is seen as a missed opportunity by experts who believe that investing in open source software would have provided significant benefits for the EU's digital economy. "This is a critical oversight given the importance of open source technology in driving innovation and competitiveness," said an expert in the field, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The European Commission has not commented on the criticism surrounding the budget proposal. However, the omission of open source technology from the spending plan has sparked concerns among EU lawmakers who are calling for a review of the proposal. "We need to ensure that our digital infrastructure is secure and resilient, and investing in open source software would have been a crucial step towards achieving this goal," said a spokesperson for the European Parliament.
The current status of the budget proposal remains unclear, but experts warn that the omission of open source technology could have long-term consequences for the EU's digital economy. As the debate surrounding the budget proposal continues, one thing is clear: the importance of open source technology cannot be ignored. The Next Web notes that the EU's push for digital sovereignty and cybersecurity relies heavily on open source software, making its exclusion from the budget proposal all the more puzzling.
In conclusion, the European Commission's €2 trillion budget proposal has been criticized for overlooking a crucial component: open source technology. As the debate surrounding the budget proposal continues, experts warn that investing in open source software would have provided significant benefits for the EU's digital economy. The omission of open source technology from the spending plan highlights the need for greater investment in this critical area and underscores the importance of prioritizing transparency, security, and flexibility in the EU's digital infrastructure.
Sources:
The Next Web: "The EU's €2T budget overlooks a key tech pillar: Open source"
The Next Web: "EU's €2T Budget Ignores Open Source Software, a Key Driver of Tech Innovation"
This story was compiled from reports by The Next Web and The Next Web.
