{"id":2493,"date":"2025-03-18T09:35:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T09:35:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/structr.com\/?p=2493"},"modified":"2025-03-19T12:45:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T12:45:24","slug":"digital-sovereignty-through-open-source-a-path-to-independence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/structr.com\/en\/blog\/digital-sovereignty-through-open-source-a-path-to-independence\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital sovereignty through open source: a path to independence"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Digitalization is the backbone of modern societies, but many public institutions are facing a problem: they are highly dependent on proprietary software – especially from the USA. US cloud services dominate German authorities, companies and educational institutions, which jeopardizes control over data and IT infrastructures and can even threaten democracy and the digital future in the long term. The solution? Open source software (OSS). It strengthens digital sovereignty, promotes economic independence and ensures a fairer distribution of digital power.<\/p>\n

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Why open source?<\/h2><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]Free software stands for transparency, adaptability and sustainability. While proprietary solutions often force you into non-transparent license models or create dependencies on corporations, open source gives you full control over code and data. Independent bodies can check the open source code, close security gaps and design digital infrastructures according to their own standards. This is particularly essential for public administration in order to protect sensitive citizen data. As the OSBA’s manifesto for digital sovereignty emphasizes, open source – also as a cloud solution – is a key to Europe’s digital independence.[\/vc_column_text]

Open source clouds as a necessary alternative<\/h2><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]Cloud computing is essential for modern IT structures – but control over your own data should be maintained. Proprietary cloud services, especially from providers outside Europe, harbor risks in terms of data protection, dependency and data control. Open source clouds, such as those provided by European providers like Nextcloud or OpenStack, offer a secure alternative. They enable public authorities and companies to control their digital processes independently and confidently.[\/vc_column_text]

Dangers of dependence on proprietary software<\/h2><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]A central problem is vendor lock-in: customers are tied to a provider without having real ownership rights to the software. Opaque subscription models of large software groups make it expensive and complicated to exit. There are also considerable data protection risks: US laws such as the CLOUD Act allow US authorities to access data from US companies, even if it is stored on servers in Germany.[\/vc_column_text]

Open source as an economic catalyst<\/h2><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]Open source not only offers more security and independence, but also economic advantages. An EU study proves this: Every euro invested returns four times as much. The integration of regional IT service providers creates a strong digital ecosystem that promotes European values, strengthens local companies and makes the public sector more resilient.[\/vc_column_text]

Conclusion: Secure digital sovereignty now<\/h2><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]Clear minimum requirements for cloud services, especially with open source, are essential in order to maintain control over digital infrastructures. Digital independence is not a vision of the future, but a necessity. Open source offers a real alternative to proprietary solutions – for more control, security and economic independence. What is needed now is the political courage to actively shape this change – for an open, secure and sovereign digital society.<\/p>\n

As a member of the OSBA, Structr is contributing to this change with its open-source low-code software.[\/vc_column_text]

Structr: Open source as real progress<\/h2><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]Structr proves that open source is more than just an alternative – it’s a real step forward.<\/p>\n