The use of open source and open standards is essential for a secure Internet, the Hungarian government says in a statement following a workshop with IT researchers and ICT service providers. This type of software will also reduce the cost of ICT and contribute to the country’s economy, says Tamas Deutsch.
The workshop was part of a national consultation on the future of the country’s Internet. The InternetKon consultation follows the November 2014 protests over plans to tax Internet traffic. Citizens could submit their questions and comments until 26 March and the government is now working on proposals. Deutsch, Member of the European Parliament (Group of the European People's Party) is the government InternetKon commissioner.
Many of comments submitted to InternetKon address the security of the Internet, Deutsch said at the conference on 26 February. A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office links the consultation with the 2011 government policy which aims to increase the use of open source and open standards. The policy provides the country with some recognition in the open source world, the government writes.
Between May 2012 and December 2013 the Hungarian government ran an open source competence centre. Contacted by email this week, MEP Deutsch could not respond to a question if the government is considering a restart of this centre. “That is not part of his mandate”, an assistant replied.
More information:
Statement by Hungary’s Prime Minister’s Office (in Hungarian)
InternetKon
Hungary Today news item
BBC news item
OSOR case study