Hong Kong signs up to view Windows code
Published: 27 Nov 2003 09:50 GMT
Hong Kong has just signed on to Microsoft's Government Security Program (GSP), giving the Hong Kong government controlled, no-fee access to Microsoft Windows' source code and related information, subject to US export restrictions.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's Information Technology Services Department signed a standard three-year Government Security Program Source Code Agreement with Microsoft.
It does not commit the HKSAR government to using Microsoft products however, the spokesman added.
The agreement will disclose proprietary technical information and security documentation to the government departments that signed on the agreement.
Microsoft will also offer visits to its Redmond, Washington campus to meet directly with product development and security experts and access to cryptographic tools subject to export controls.
Alan Wong, HKSAR's director of Information Technology Services said that through the better understanding of the coding of the Microsoft Windows, the Government can "enhance its technology and support capability on the use of Microsoft products".
Launched in January this year, the GSP has 23 other governments and organizations signed up beside HKSAR, including China, Taiwan and Australia. The GSP is available in at least 60 countries with international standard IP regimes, and Microsoft plans expansion to another 20 countries soon.
The scheme was launched by Microsoft, some observers said, to address criticisms of poorly understood security holes in Windows and the company's monopolistic control over the desktop marketplace.
The open-source Linux operating system, which has freely-viewable source code, was also gaining in popularity with governments and seen by Microsoft was a threat to its dominance of the desktop.
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