The trade association hopes that this report will be a landmark in the industry, and that it will be translated into concrete action, as it represents a remarkable synthesis of digital issues. While Syntec Numérique does not share all its points of view, the report does take up some of the ideas the union has been advocating for many years.
Protecting personal data within a European framework
The CNNum has chosen to affirm the fundamental right to informational self-determination, in particular by promoting the control and use of their data by individuals. Syntec Numérique nevertheless calls for the adoption of the European regulation on personal data protection. The CNNum also recommends strengthening the role of the judge in blocking websites, something Syntec Numérique has always advocated.
Accelerating the training effort
In terms of education and training, the CNNum calls for better interaction between business and academia, by opening up training to innovation and diversifying recruitment. The CNNum also reaffirms the broad lines of the Jules Ferry report, which recommended that a culture of innovation be established at the heart of the education system, over and above a policy of equipment. This echoes the 360-degree national training plan presented by Syntec Numérique in January 2014.
Syntec Numérique welcomes the desire to “adjust tax systems to the needs of innovators”, but would like to reiterate that, when it comes to innovation and R&D, the Oslo and Frascati manuals should remain the benchmark, providing companies with a global framework.
Helping companies in the digital sector to grow
The CNNum shares Syntec Numérique’s analysis of the need to diversify company financing methods, proposing to rethink the structure of financing for the innovation economy. It also responds to the professional chamber’s request to intensify France’s digital attractiveness strategy with international players and to facilitate the international development of innovative companies.
Protecting the technological neutrality of public procurement
However, Syntec Numérique is concerned about the stated intention to call into question the technological neutrality of public procurement. The forced opening of source codes is an unacceptable demand in terms of intellectual property. Syntec Numérique wishes to point out that the use of reverse engineering, except in cases of interoperability, can be penalized on the grounds of computer fraud. What’s more, it is an infringement of copyright.
According to Guy Mamou-Mani, President of Syntec Numérique, “This report and the accompanying political support are excellent signs for our sector. It contains strong and interesting proposals, some of which need to be put into practice as quickly as possible. However, we must be careful not to lock French companies into a corset at a time when certain issues, such as personal data protection, are being discussed in Brussels”.
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