We recently came across a news report in The Hindu suggesting that government email systems have been switched from open-source, government-hosted platforms to proprietary software specifically Zoho Mail.

While some may see this as a mere software migration, the implications go far deeper. Moving from open-source solutions to vendor-locked, proprietary systems even if the vendor is Indian is a concerning step backward for software freedom and data sovereignty.

There’s a common misconception that open-source systems pose security risks. In reality, Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is inherently more secure due to its transparency and community-driven audits. Thousands of experts worldwide continuously review and improve its code, identifying and fixing vulnerabilities faster than any closed system ever could.

Proprietary systems, on the other hand, rely on security by obscurity users must blindly trust the vendor, and any vulnerabilities remain hidden until the vendor decides to act.

By moving toward closed, vendor-controlled systems, we risk undermining India’s own FOSS policy which prioritizes open-source solutions for e-governance to ensure strategic control, reduce costs, and safeguard national data.

True digital sovereignty means freedom not dependence.

Let’s uphold the spirit of open-source and promote transparency, security, and independence in India’s technology ecosystem.