Governments snub Microsoft source code

The UK government is one of only a handful of major administrations to have signed up for a look at Microsoft's jealously guarded source code.

Microsoft took the decision to open up its source code to governments in January. But only 12 out of the eligible 59 have so far signed up for the Government Security Programme (GSP).

The GSP provides online access to the source code for Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003 and CE. Subject to US export controls, governments can also view the cryptography code.

The UK government confirmed that it has accessed the code as part of its risk management strategy for the National Information Infrastructure. The work has been overseen by the Office of the e-Envoy.

"To date the relationship with Microsoft has been a positive one. We have found access to the code and design documents to be very beneficial," said a spokeswoman for the Office of the e-Envoy.

Of the nine agreements that Microsoft has made public, only the UK and Russia are members of the G8 leading economies. Others include China and Finland.

Nato has also signed up, and Microsoft said that discussions are ongoing with 35 other countries.

The apparent reluctance of governments to take up Microsoft's offer will come as a blow to the software maker, which had been hoping to use the programme to stave off the threat from open source software.

"Governments have responsibilities for national security and the like," said Microsoft shared source manager Jason Matusow.

"They need to trust the software they run, and we got to thinking we could work with them on issues like that."

In order to see the code underpinning cryptography, governments have to protect the secrets and are only given access through smartcards.

Microsoft has been keen to establish good relationships with governments and has been stung by recent suggestions that some governments may favour open source software.

"We would encourage a competition based on merit," said Matusow. "When it comes to total cost of ownership we believe we've got a great story."