The UK Government Digital Service (GDS) has responded to the NHS's controversial decision to close access to its open source repositories following security vulnerability reports. While not explicitly naming the NHS, GDS strongly advocates for maintaining 'open by default' as the standard approach, arguing that increased privacy measures add costs and reduce transparency. The article frames this as a significant bureaucratic rebuke within the UK civil service, highlighting the unusual public nature of this disagreement over open source policy.
Background
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) recently decided to restrict access to its open source repositories after receiving vulnerability reports through Project Glasswing, a move that has sparked debate about open source security in the public sector.
- Source
- Simon Willison
- Published
- May 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10