Rapid Review of Digital Sovereignty and Open-Source Software
José A. P. Martins¹, Paulo A. L. Rego², José A. F. de Macêdo³, Vinícius L. R. da Costa⁴
¹ Federal University of Ceará – UFC, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil (Email: ) ² Federal University of Ceará – UFC, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil (Email: ) ³ Federal University of Ceará – UFC, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil (Email: ) ⁴ Research and Development Center for Communication Security – CEPESC, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil (Email: )
DOI: https://doi.org/10.48545/advance2025-fullpapers-3_3
Abstract
The growing reliance on proprietary digital technologies and the global dominance of large technology providers have raised concerns about national autonomy, prompting the emergence of digital sovereignty as a strategic policy objective. This concept highlights the importance of states maintaining control over digital infrastructures, data governance, and technological capabilities. Despite its relevance, the relationship between digital sovereignty and open-source software (OSS) remains insufficiently mapped. Although OSS is often cited as a means to reduce vendor dependency and enhance transparency, the literature lacks a consolidated assessment of how OSS is adopted across domains, the challenges involved, and its actual contribution to sovereignty goals. This paper addresses this gap by conducting a structured Rapid Review of scholarly publications, grey literature, and case studies from 2020 to 2025. It offers a comparative synthesis of OSS alternatives to proprietary software across critical categories, including operating systems, cloud infrastructure, productivity tools, and communication tools. The review identifies strategic opportunities for sovereignty through OSS, such as improved auditability and support for local capacity. It also outlines persistent challenges related to sustainability, legal frameworks, and geopolitical tensions. The results suggest that realizing digital sovereignty through OSS requires integrated governance, long-term investment in technical expertise, and alignment with international regulatory efforts.
Keywords
Digital Sovereignty, Open-Source Software, Government Policy, Cybersecurity, Software Governance, Vendor Lock-in, Technological Autonomy, Software Supply Chain, Rapid Review, ICT Infrastructure