Professor Dr. Matthias Stürmer has been a pivotal advocate for this change. With a background in digital sustainability and open source community building, Stürmer has long argued for the benefits of OSS in enhancing digital transparency and reducing dependency on proprietary software. His involvement in various capacities, including his role at the Research Center for Digital Sustainability and as president of the open source association CH Open.
The EMBAG law stipulates that all public bodies must disclose the source code of software developed by or for them, unless precluded by third-party rights or security concerns. This mandate aims to ensure greater transparency, security, and efficiency in government operations by promoting the use of OSS, which allows for public scrutiny and contribution to the software code.
The implementation of EMBAG is expected to serve as a model for other countries considering similar measures. The law aims to promote digital sovereignty and encourage innovation and collaboration within the public sector. As Switzerland adopts this approach, the benefits of open source software—greater security, cost efficiency, and enhanced public trust—may become more apparent.
