Petition · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Migrate UK civil service to open-source software for data sovereignty & security

Open for signatures 337 signatures

What the petition asks

I want the government to develop a plan to migrate all civil service IT systems from proprietary software to secure open-source alternatives. This should setting clear targets, budgets and training to ensure full data sovereignty, enhanced cybersecurity and support for UK innovation.
We believe foreign private companies cannot guarantee UK data sovereignty, with sensitive data regularly transferred outside the UK, risking breaches of the Data Protection Act and exposure to foreign laws like the US Cloud Act. We believe relying on proprietary software undermines national security, creates vendor lock-in, and stifles innovation. Open-source solutions offer transparency, stronger cybersecurity and the ability to keep data under UK jurisdiction. This could support domestic firms and make public services more resilient.

Timeline

6 May 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 337
Status Open for signatures
Department Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Opened 6 May 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.