Re: Question of Aiding and Abetting Proprietary (or non-free) Software in GNU projects

[lkcl]

On Tue, May 17, 2022 at 1:51 PM Yasuaki Kudo <yasu@yasuaki.com> wrote:

> - Guix runs on Linux, the unabridged with all the proprietary bits and pieces 
> for the video card, wifi and all.  The same comment as above... does not 
> apply?  Because if it runs on unmodified Linux and people choose to do so, it 
> hurts the project of promoting Free Software!

the exclusion of proprietary WIFI drivers does not make any sense until you
see these:

* 
https://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/84142/breaking-news/broadcom-wifi-driver-flaws.html
* https://thehackernews.com/2017/04/broadcom-wifi-hack.html
* 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2021/09/18/apple-iphone-warning-security-wifi-ssid-new-iphone-hack/

which exposed LITERALLY BILLIONS of people to drive-by exploits

in that context, how is placing the exact same proprietary drivers onto
a system *in any way* helping to promote Ethical Software principles?

it's the total opposite, isn't it? it's directly exposing users to
harm, isn't it?

not only that, but it also risks the actual developers from being hit with
a Class Action Lawsuit precisely because they exposed users to harm,
isn't it?

debian makes the compromise that they put all the "nonfree" parts
into a special repository "nonfree".  you have to *actively* choose
whether to use that.

ubuntu says "yeah f*** that, we're just gonna expose users to harm
because it's convenient"

GNU says "ultimately, if the user really wants to use nonfree parts
that's entirely their choice, but we're not going to help them in any
way to do so".

you *can* take an entirely Libre system and make it non-Libre.
it's software, after all.  you have that choice.

l.