We, the undersigned, urge the European Commission, the European Parliament, and national governments across the EU to make significant and sustained investments in Linux and open-source software (OSS) as a strategic pillar of Europe’s digital independence.
Today, all major operating systems — Windows, macOS, iOS, Android — are developed and controlled by American corporations. This near-total dependence on non-European platforms puts our public institutions, companies, and citizens at risk — from data exploitation and surveillance to the erosion of technological sovereignty.
Europe urgently needs to support open-source alternatives like Linux — not only to ensure security and transparency, but to build a foundation for a European operating system ecosystem, tailored to our values, laws, and long-term interests.
We call for:
Public funding for the development, maintenance, and security of Linux distributions and open-source tools.
Adoption of Linux and OSS in schools, universities, and public administration.
Incentives and protections for European developers and open-source communities.
A clear strategy for a European OS and digital autonomy, reducing reliance on foreign tech giants.
Open-source is not just free software — it is freedom itself. Let Europe lead with transparency, sustainability, and independence.
The opinions expressed on the ECI Forum reflect solely the point of view of their authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the position of the European Commission or of the European Union.
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