• bassomitron@lemmy.worldEnglish
    39·
    7 months ago

    This makes me curious in the US on whether or not government app source code would be provided via a FOIA request.

    • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
      12·
      7 months ago

      Generally, works of the US government are public domain.

      However, most apps are produced on contract with development companies, and I expect the contract specifies that the rights remain with the developer.

        • bamboo@lemm.eeEnglish
          3·
          7 months ago

          As someone who works with and knows several military contractors, I’ve never heard of the US taking ownership of any code written. In fact, most of what they’re paying for is for companies to extend software they’ve already written to better fit the governments use case, such that even if the government owned the new improvements, that code wouldn’t function without the base application that pre-dates a government contract.

    • satanmat@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      7 months ago

      Short version: no

      Long version: I’m pretty sure; no. I believe that; tools used like apps would not be subject to FOIA.

      I deal with public records requests at work… email, documents etc. sure thing, but I’m pretty sure that the AG would laugh at you requesting the source code for apps we use.

      —- I could only wish that we were mandated to use only open source software