Government Policy: Open, Unless

The government’s policy, known as ‘Open, Unless’, aims to make software developed by or for the government as open source as possible. This means that the source code of the software should be accessible and reusable by everyone unless there are legal restrictions under the Open Government Act.

The government’s open-source policy offers several advantages. Firstly, it enhances transparency and trust in the government because everyone can gain insight into how the software operates. Secondly, it promotes collaboration, both within the government and with external partners, leading to more effective and efficient public administration. Furthermore, open source contributes to the security of software by allowing others to inspect the code for errors and risks.

Additionally, open source stimulates innovation, reduces licensing costs, and speeds up development processes. It increases flexibility in the use of software and reduces dependence on large commercial vendors.

In essence, the ‘Open, Unless’ government policy promotes transparency, collaboration, security, efficiency, innovation, and independence within government software development processes.