UN Transitions to Open-Source Form Tool, Moves Away from Google Forms

The United Nations have made the official transition to use Google forms to adopt an open source alternative for their internal and external data collection needs. This strategic change underlines the organization’s commitment to improve the sovereignty of data, privacy and operational flexibility.

The decision to get away from Google’s forms was influenced by several factors, including conerns on data privacy, the need for greater customization and the desire to avoid the blockage of suppliers. When adopting open source solutions, the UN aims to have more control over its data and the tools you use to collect and manage that data.

One of the open source tools that are being considered is Formbricks, which sacrifices a variety of characteristics that are aligned with the UN requirements. Formbricks admits several types of questions, including the selection of images and the grades of the stars, and provides advanced functionalities such as conditional logic, email verification and integration with platforms such as Airable and Slack. These characteristics sacrifice a level of flexibility and control that exceeds what is available with Google forms.

Another notable open source option is open, a project that allows users to create custom forms with Google authentication and store answers in Google leaves or download them as Excel files. This tool provides an easy experience to use to build and manage forms, aligning with the need for the UN of accessible and efficient data collection methods.

The move to open source solutions also reflects a broader trend within international organizations and governments that seek to improve digital sovereignty. By using open source tools, the UN can adapt its data collection processes to specific needs, guarantee compliance with data protection regulations and reduce ownership dependence.

In addition to Formbricks and Openforms, the UN is exploring other open source -shaped builders such as Limesurvey and Formstr. Limesurvey offers wide customization options and admits multilingual surveys, which is essential for the UN global operations. Formstr, is based on a decentralized network protocol, provides a unique approach to data collection, allowing greater control and privacy.