= European Parliament votes for Free Software in AI resolution – This position must now be included in the AI regulation =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20220503-01.nl.html ]
Today the European Parliament passed a resolution on Artificial
Intelligence (AI) with a huge majority of 495 votes in favor, 34 against
and 102 abstentions. There are many references to the advantages of Free
Software included in the text - the FSFE now urges the Parliament to
transfer its own position into the AI regulation.
The resolution states that in public procurement Free Software should be
mandated, where appropriate, with the goal to encourage cross border
collaboration. The parliament also highlights the importance of Free
Software as a way to enhance investments and boost innovation in AI
technologies in the EU.
/"We welcome the assessment and the demands of the European Parliament.
With this resolution, the Parliament recognises the importance and
relevance of Free Software for AI." explains Lina Ceballos, FSFE Project
Manager./ The FSFE demands with its "Public Money? Public Code!"
Initiative that publicly financed software made publicly available under
a Free Software licence. It is also important to rely on Free Software
in AI as it helps to foster innovation, boosts local economy, ensures
transparency and thus helps to protect fundamental rights.
/“We ask Members of the European Parliament to take into account their
position they voted on today and make sure this important position on
Free Software and AI will be also included in regulation.” demands
Alexander Sander, FSFE Policy Consultant./ In the upcoming weeks the
European Parliament will get closer to its position on the AI
regulation, until end of May members can table amendments to the
commission text from which the position of the Parliament is formed. The
FSFE recently shared a dedicated document for decision-makers [1], with
elaborated arguments on the use of Free Software in AI technologies,
which highlights the benefits that Free Software can offer to this
crucial regulation.
1: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20220330-01.nl.html
== Over de Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is een goed doel dat gebruikers in staat
stelt om technologie te controleren. Software is sterk verweven met
alle aspecten van onze levens. Het is belangrijk dat deze technologie
ons tot iets in staat stelt in plaats van ons te beperken. Vrije
Software geeft iedereen het recht om software te gebruiken, te
begrijpen, aan te passen en te delen. Deze rechten helpen het
ondersteunen van andere fundamentele vrijheden zoals de vrijheid van
meningsuiting, pers en privacy.
De FSFE helpt individuen en organisaties begrijpen hoe Vrije Software
bijdraagt aan vrijheid, transparantie en zelfbeschikking. We verbeteren
gebruikersrechten door het opheffen van barrières voor de adoptie van
Vrije Software, moedigen mensen aan om Vrije Software te gebruiken en te
ontwikkelen en voorzien in middelen om iedereen in staat te stellen
Vrije Software in Europa verder te promoten.
https://fsfe.org
= EU Ecodesign: 38 organisations demand the right to access and to reuse hardware =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20220427-01.nl.html ]
The FSFE publishes an open letter, co-signed by 38 organisations and
companies, to ask EU legislators for the right to install any software
on any device, including full access to hardware. These rights support
reusability and longevity of our devices. The alliance is composed of
entities from environmental, economic, and technological sectors.
The European Union is about to redefine the ecodesign criteria for
products in several legislative proposals, including the Sustainable
Product Initiative, the Circular Electronics Initiative, and the Right
to Repair. These proposals aim at extending the usage time of hardware
and facilitating circular use of electronic devices. The current
regulations date from 2009 and do not include any criteria regarding the
design and licensing of software as an important factor for the
sustainability of electronic products. Software directly influences how
long consumers can keep using their devices.
Nowadays, users who want to keep using their devices for a longer time,
or to reuse their hardware in a creative way, face a wide range of
software barriers: from obsolescence to an unexpected end-of-support,
from spare part serialization to locked boot loaders. In practice, these
artificial restrictions on using and reusing hardware are ultimately
imposed by software. Neither consumers nor professional third-party
services can overcome them, often simply due to the obscurity of
proprietary software licensing models. Free Software licensing solves
many of these issues and in this way becomes crucial for an eco-friendly
design and the sustainability of hardware; this is the core message of
an Open Letter published today by the Free Software Foundation Europe
and co-signed by 37 European organisations and companies [1].
Among the initial signees are large repair unions as the European Right
to Repair Campaign, the Round Table Repair, and the Netzwerk Reparatur
Initiative - together representing hundreds of initiatives and
associations of the European repair sector. Together with iFixit,
Fairphone, Germanwatch, Open Source Business Alliance, Wikimedie DE,
Digitalcourage, European Digital Rights Initiative, and more, they build
an alliance of 38 organisations, that ask European legislators for a
more sustainable digital economy by giving users the right to freely
choose operating systems, software, and services. The letter divides
this right into four core demands:
=== Universal right to install any software on any device ===
Users must have the universal right to install and develop any operating
system and software they want on any device. Legal, technical, or other
obstacles to reusing these devices for any purpose must not be allowed.
=== Free choice of online service providers ===
Using certain hardware must not dictate which online services to use.
The obligation to connect online services via Open Standards must
empower users to choose services from diverse manufacturers, including
self-hosted services or those hosted by any third party.
=== Interoperable and compatible devices ===
Using certain hardware must not dictate which other hardware to buy in
order to keep those devices connected. Manufacturers must provide any
data necessary to run a device in Open Standards format, allowing
interoperability of devices. Artificial incompatibility of devices must
not be allowed.
=== Publication of source code of drivers, tools, and interfaces ===
Manufacturers must enable users to repurpose, replace, or repair any
part of a device. This is only possible if users can access and reuse
the source code of all necessary drivers, tools, and interfaces to run
the device and its components. This means that the source code of tools,
drivers, and interfaces of every piece of hardware within a device must
be published under a Free Software licence.
The FSFE and 38 European organisations and companies stress the above
demands as necessary for sustainable use and reuse of our hardware.
Empowering users with the right to freely choose operating systems,
software, and services will allow them to use and reuse their devices
for a longer period.
The initial signatories of the open letter include civil society
organisations from the environmental, economic, and technological
sectors. Several companies support these demands as well, showing that a
more sustainable digital society and economic growth are not
contradictions. The list of these initial signees in alphabetical order
is:
1. /e/ Foundation
2. Associação Nacional para o Software Livre (ANSOL)
3. European Open Source Business Association (APELL)
4. Back Market
5. Barcelona Free Software Group
6. Citizen D
7. Deutscher Naturschutzring
8. Digitalcourage
9. Digitale Gesellschaft CH
10. Document Foundation
11. Environmental Coalition on Standards
12. Epicenter.works
13. European Digital Rights (EDRi)
14. Elektronisk Forpost Norge
15. European Right to Repair Campaign (repair.eu)
16. Fairphone
17. Forum InformatikerInnen für Frieden und gesellschaftliche
Verantwortung e.V. (FifF)
18. Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)
19. Germanwatch
20. Greek Open Technologies Alliance (GFOSS)
21. Heinlein Support
22. iFixit
23. KDE
24. Mailbox.org
25. Mouvement Ecologique
26. Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU)
27. Netzwerk Reparatur Initiativen
28. Nextcloud
29. Nitrokey
30. Norwegian Unix User Group
31. Oekozenter Pafendall
32. Open Kowledge Foundation DE
33. OPNTEC
34. Open Source Business Alliance (OSBA)
35. Runder Tisch Reparatur
36. Shift
37. Vrijschrift
38. Wikimedia DE
1: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/openletter.nl.html
== Over de Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is een goed doel dat gebruikers in staat
stelt om technologie te controleren. Software is sterk verweven met
alle aspecten van onze levens. Het is belangrijk dat deze technologie
ons tot iets in staat stelt in plaats van ons te beperken. Vrije
Software geeft iedereen het recht om software te gebruiken, te
begrijpen, aan te passen en te delen. Deze rechten helpen het
ondersteunen van andere fundamentele vrijheden zoals de vrijheid van
meningsuiting, pers en privacy.
De FSFE helpt individuen en organisaties begrijpen hoe Vrije Software
bijdraagt aan vrijheid, transparantie en zelfbeschikking. We verbeteren
gebruikersrechten door het opheffen van barrières voor de adoptie van
Vrije Software, moedigen mensen aan om Vrije Software te gebruiken en te
ontwikkelen en voorzien in middelen om iedereen in staat te stellen
Vrije Software in Europa verder te promoten.
https://fsfe.org
= Anchor Free Software in the 2022 German Federal Budget! =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20220328-01.nl.html ]
The traffic light coalition must anchor its goals for the digitisation
of Germany, based on Free Software, as set out in the coalition
agreement in the 2022 federal budget. Otherwise, there is a risk of
cementing dependencies on individual vendors and losing sovereignty and
innovative power.
Together with other associations and organisations such as the Open
Source Business Alliance and the Open Knowledge Foundation Germany, the
Free Software Foundation Europe calls for, the Free Software Foundation
Europe (FSFE) demands to include digital sovereignty in the 2022 federal
budget and implement already announced initiatives for software freedom.
In an open letter, the signatories address the government groups in the
Bundestag and demand that the goals for the digitalisation of Germany,
based on Free Software, as set out in the coalition agreement, also be
anchored in the 2022 federal budget.
/"The right goal in the coalition agreement to advance digitisation
through the use of Free Software must also be reflected in the
government's concrete actions. Otherwise, there is a risk of cementing
dependencies on individual vendors and losing sovereignty and innovative
power. Digitisation that focuses on independence, sustainability, crisis
resistance and economic success can only be achieved through the
implementation of Free Software. The traffic light coalition is called
upon to provide necessary funds in the federal budget to prevent
digitalisation from failing," explains Alexander Sander, Policy
Consultant at FSFE./ Free Software gives everyone the right to use,
study, share and improve applications for any purpose. These freedoms
ensure that similar applications do not have to be programmed from
scratch every time and, thanks to transparent processes, others do not
have to reinvent the wheel. In large projects, expertise and costs can
be shared and applications paid for by the general public are available
to all. This promotes innovation and saves tax payers money in the
medium to long term. Dependencies on vendors are minimised and security
issues can be fixed more easily. The Free Software Foundation Europe,
together with over 200 organisations, is therefore calling for "Public
Money? Public Code!" - If it is public money, it should be public code
as well. More information on the initiative: https://publiccode.eu/ [1]
The open letter "Consider digital sovereignty in the 2022 federal
budget" can be found here [2].
1: https://publiccode.eu/
2: https://download.fsfe.org/policy/letters/20220328-German-Budget-and-Free-So…
== Over de Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is een goed doel dat gebruikers in staat
stelt om technologie te controleren. Software is sterk verweven met
alle aspecten van onze levens. Het is belangrijk dat deze technologie
ons tot iets in staat stelt in plaats van ons te beperken. Vrije
Software geeft iedereen het recht om software te gebruiken, te
begrijpen, aan te passen en te delen. Deze rechten helpen het
ondersteunen van andere fundamentele vrijheden zoals de vrijheid van
meningsuiting, pers en privacy.
De FSFE helpt individuen en organisaties begrijpen hoe Vrije Software
bijdraagt aan vrijheid, transparantie en zelfbeschikking. We verbeteren
gebruikersrechten door het opheffen van barrières voor de adoptie van
Vrije Software, moedigen mensen aan om Vrije Software te gebruiken en te
ontwikkelen en voorzien in middelen om iedereen in staat te stellen
Vrije Software in Europa verder te promoten.
https://fsfe.org
= Germany: 100 days of coalition agreement - hardly one day for Free Software =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20220315-01.nl.html ]
At the end of the week, the new German government will have been in
office for 100 days. The coalition agreement contains ambitious
statements on the use of Free Software (also known as Open Source), but
so far nothing has been implemented. On the contrary: dependencies are
to be further cemented.
Just 100 days ago, the new government set out to finally drive forward
the digitisation of Germany. Fortunately the use of Free Software is to
play a major role. The FSFE has been demanding for a long time: "Public
Money? Public Code!" - an implementation of the principle finally seems
tangible.
Free Software gives everyone the right to use, study, share, and improve
applications for any purpose. These freedoms mean that similar
applications do not have to be programmed from scratch every time, and
thanks to transparent processes, others do not have to reinvent the
wheel. For large projects expertise and costs can be shared, and
applications paid for by the public are available to all. This promotes
innovation and saves money in the medium to long term. Dependencies on
vendors is minimised and security issues can be fixed more easily.
/Alexander Sander, the FSFE's Policy Consultant, explains: "Although the
benefits of Free Software are obvious and are also recognised in the
coalition treaty, the new government has so far only been conspicuous by
inactivity and cementing the status quo. Instead of finally providing a
'Free Software cloud' for administrations, the new government will again
rely on costly proprietary applications. This is incomprehensible to
us."/ SAP and Arvato, for example, want to offer Microsoft products to
German administrations and the new government is open to this. The cloud
strategy based on "open interfaces as well as strict security and
transparency requirements", which was still mentioned in the coalition
treaty, is thus moving further and further away.
Apart from a vague announcement by Franziska Brantner, State Secretary
in the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, "to promote
open source technologies from 2022 onwards" nothing happened so far. It
remains unclear what budget is available for this activity, how these
technologies will be identified and promoted, and how stakeholders will
be integrated into the process, especially civil society.
The Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, who is supposed to push the
topic of digitisation for administrations, has so far remained reserved,
as has the chancellor. Although "much more speed" is to be made, how
this is to happen in concrete terms remains nebulous and Free Software
has not played a role so far.
== Over de Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is een goed doel dat gebruikers in staat
stelt om technologie te controleren. Software is sterk verweven met
alle aspecten van onze levens. Het is belangrijk dat deze technologie
ons tot iets in staat stelt in plaats van ons te beperken. Vrije
Software geeft iedereen het recht om software te gebruiken, te
begrijpen, aan te passen en te delen. Deze rechten helpen het
ondersteunen van andere fundamentele vrijheden zoals de vrijheid van
meningsuiting, pers en privacy.
De FSFE helpt individuen en organisaties begrijpen hoe Vrije Software
bijdraagt aan vrijheid, transparantie en zelfbeschikking. We verbeteren
gebruikersrechten door het opheffen van barrières voor de adoptie van
Vrije Software, moedigen mensen aan om Vrije Software te gebruiken en te
ontwikkelen en voorzien in middelen om iedereen in staat te stellen
Vrije Software in Europa verder te promoten.
https://fsfe.org
Digital Markets Act: Device Neutrality finally becomes a reality
https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211215-01.html
After many iterations and amendments, the European Parliament adopted
the Digital Markets Act by 642 votes in favour, 8 votes against, and 46
abstentions. With this vote the principle of Device Neutrality is
introduced. At the same time, the Parliament missed the chance to
introduce strong requirements for interoperability based on Open Standards.
"We strongly believe the digital markets will benefit by facilitating
access to Free Software in devices. Device Neutrality translates in the
DMA as stricter consent rules for pre-installed apps, safeguards against
vendor lock-in, and real-time data portability. Interoperability of
services was also introduced, but not with the requirement to be based
on Open Standards. This is a lost chance to leverage competition with
accessible and non-discriminatory technical specifications. Open
Standards are an important element for innovation by allowing market
actors to innovate on top of technical specification standards and build
their own services.", says Lucas Lasota, the FSFE's Deputy Legal
Coordinator.
The FSFE has urged EU legislators to safeguard Device Neutrality in the
DMA. We regret the voting has not contemplated setting Open Standards as
default to define interoperability. However, getting Device Neutrality
in the legislation is the first step. The right for end-users to use
their own device and operating system is an important factor to
guarantee access of Free Software operating systems to dominant
platforms. As a daily reality for many users this option enlarges the
audience for Free Software adoption.
The FSFE has been working for two decades empowering people to control
technology in their devices. We will closely follow the implementation
of the law and continue to conduct activities and initiatives to
safeguard end-users' interests.
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to
control technology. Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our
lives; and it is important that this technology empowers rather than
restricts us. Free Software gives everybody the rights to use,
understand, adapt and share software. These rights help support other
fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, press and privacy.
The FSFE helps individuals and organisations understand how Free
Software contributes to freedom, transparency and self-determination.
We enhance users' rights by abolishing barriers to Free Software
adoption, encourage people to use and develop Free Software, and provide
resources to enable everyone to further promote Free Software in Europe.
https://fsfe.org
= Digital Markets Act - Device Neutrality must be consolidated in the legislation =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211213-01.nl.html ]
On December 15, the Digital Markets Act, the EU's comprehensive
regulatory package for internet platforms, will go through plenary
voting at the European Parliament. The FSFE calls for consolidating
Device Neutrality to enable fair and non-discriminatory use of Free
Software in digital devices.
The European Union is about to introduce a major overhaul of Internet
legislation with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) [1]. After successful
committee voting on 22 November, the European Parliament will conduct
plenary voting on 15 December. The FSFE advocates Device Neutrality [2]
as a fundamental step to achieve a contestable, open, and competitive
digital market in the EU and urges the European Parliament to secure
this principle in the final voting.
== Device Neutrality - fostering Free Sofware in an end-user centric digital market ==
The DMA focuses on "gatekeepers", understood as very large tech
companies that have control over large parts of digital services, such
as search engines, social networking services, messaging services,
operating systems, and online intermediation services. While digital
devices are a ubiquitous reality in all aspects of life, our control
over the hardware and software running on them is increasingly being
limited. Device Neutrality is the policy concept that users should have
the right of non-discrimination of the services and software they use,
based on platform control by hardware vendors, manufacturers, and
service providers. The goal is to enable users to bypass gatekeepers and
enable a fair and non-discriminatory use of Free Software in devices.
Uw financiële bijdrage is belangrijk voor de vrijheid in de
informatiesamenleving.
Word nu een supporter [3] After many iterations and amendments, the
DMA's final text submitted to the plenary voting incorporates the
following Device Neutrality principles, which the FSFE urges the
European Parliament to consolidate in the plenary voting:
- *Strict end-user consent for pre-installed apps*. The DMA must impose
on gatekeepers the obligation to allow their customers to uninstall
any pre-installed software applications they provide on their services
or with their hardware. This means more restrictive rules for pre-
installed apps, providing users the same access privileges for both
pre-installed and alternative apps, and the possibility to uninstall
pre-loaded apps.
- *No vendor lock-in*. The DMA should enable side-loading of apps in
dominant operating systems, so consumers can install any compatible
software on their devices. The DMA should require gatekeepers to
permit third-party app stores and code repositories that compete with
their own. The law must prohibit gatekeepers limiting the ability of
end-users to switch between and subscribe to different software
applications and services. This will prevent gatekeepers from locking
users into specific service providers.
- *Interoperability of services based on* Open Standards [4]. It is
urgent for the DMA to require gatekeepers to provide access and
interoperability to hardware and software features accessed or
controlled via the gatekeeper's operating system. That means that the
operating system's functionalities and available APIs should be
transparent and available to apps in a non-discriminatory way.
Interoperability should be defined by Open Standards.
- *Real-time data portability*. The DMA should require gatekeepers to
provide real-time data portability for devices, so that consumers can
switch from one device to another - including operating systems - as
smoothly as possible.
Discussieer hierover [5]
1: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/OJQ-9-2021-12-15_EN.html
2: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211122-01.nl.html
3: https://my.fsfe.org/donate?referrer=https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-2021121…
4: https://fsfe.org/freesoftware/standards/index.nl.html
5: https://community.fsfe.org/t/780
== Over de Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is een goed doel dat gebruikers in staat
stelt om technologie te controleren. Software is sterk verweven met
alle aspecten van onze levens. Het is belangrijk dat deze technologie
ons tot iets in staat stelt in plaats van ons te beperken. Vrije
Software geeft iedereen het recht om software te gebruiken, te
begrijpen, aan te passen en te delen. Deze rechten helpen het
ondersteunen van andere fundamentele vrijheden zoals de vrijheid van
meningsuiting, pers en privacy.
De FSFE helpt individuen en organisaties begrijpen hoe Vrije Software
bijdraagt aan vrijheid, transparantie en zelfbeschikking. We verbeteren
gebruikersrechten door het opheffen van barrières voor de adoptie van
Vrije Software, moedigen mensen aan om Vrije Software te gebruiken en te
ontwikkelen en voorzien in middelen om iedereen in staat te stellen
Vrije Software in Europa verder te promoten.
https://fsfe.org
= Children‘s book published about software, skateboards, and raspberry ice cream =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211129-01.nl.html ]
Today, 29 November, O'Reilly Germany publishes the book "Ada & Zangemann
- A fairy tale about software, skateboards and raspberry ice cream"
written by FSFE President Matthias Kirschner and illustrated by Sandra
Brandstätter, among other things, character designer for the series
"Trudes Tier" from the show "Sendung mit der Maus".
The famous inventor Zangemann lives in a huge villa high above the
city. Adults and children alike love his inventions and are
desperate to have them. But then something happens: when Zangemann
once again wants to take a close-up look at his inventions during a
walk through the cityand with a loud thud, a child riding a
skateboard hits him in the shin! Enraged, the inventor makes a
momentous decision... The clever girl Ada sees through it all.
Together with her friends, she forges a plan.
This illustrated children's book tells the story of the famous inventor
Zangemann and the girl Ada, a curious tinkerer. Ada begins to experiment
with hardware and software, and in the process realises how crucial it
is for her and others to control technology.
A book for children from the age of 6 that arouses children's interest
in tinkering and encourages shaping technology.
"Kirschner's book introduces readers young and old to the power and
peril of software. It also highlights the accelerating effects of
sharing software freely - creating conditions for direct and
indirect collaboration which can be a metaphor for the conduct of
science. Behind it all is a backdrop of ethics of knowledge sharing
upon which the arc of human history rides."
Vint Cerf - Computer Scientist and one of the inventors of the
internet (after reading the English translation).
"Even as a non-child, I was captivated by the story from the first
page to the last. Kudos to the author for packaging difficult topics
such as monopolies, lobbyism, digital divide, software freedom,
digital autonomy, IoT, consumer control, e-waste and much more in a
child-friendly form in an easily understandable and exciting
storyline. And kudos to the publisher for having the guts to publish
a book under CC-BY-SA."
Jörg Luther, chief editor of the German Linux-Magazin, LinuxUser,
Raspberry Pi Geek
"After my son was read the book last night, he told me the whole
story this morning... He wants to make something out of old pallets
after school today. And then he wants to learn programming."
Ingo Wichmann, CEO Linuxhotel GmbH
The book "Ada & Zangemann - Ein Märchen über Software, Skateboards und
Himbeereis" [1] by Matthias Kirschner and Sandra Brandstätter, published
by dpunkt.verlag GmbH under ISBN 978-3-96009-190-5, is licensed under
"Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Germany (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE)
[2] ".
Matthias Kirschner wrote the text on a voluntary basis for the FSFE. All
author revenues go directly to the non-profit Free Software Foundation
Europe. The FSFE paid the illustrator Sandra Brandstätter and the
children's book editor Wiebke Helmchen for their work. Linuxhotel GmbH
made the project possble by already agreeding at the beginning of the
writing process to buy 1000 copies once the book was finished.
Currently, the FSFE is looking for a suitable publisher to for an
English translation. The FSFE would like to enable as many people as
possible to read the book in their mother tongue and asks for donations
for its work [3].
Further press material on "Ada & Zangemann" is available on the
publisher's website [4].
Discussieer hierover [5]
1: https://oreilly.de/produkt/ada-und-zangemann/
2: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/
3: https://fsfe.org/donate
4: https://oreilly.de/presseinformationen/pressematerialien-ada-und-zangemann/
5: https://community.fsfe.org/t/773
== Over de Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is een goed doel dat gebruikers in staat
stelt om technologie te controleren. Software is sterk verweven met
alle aspecten van onze levens. Het is belangrijk dat deze technologie
ons tot iets in staat stelt in plaats van ons te beperken. Vrije
Software geeft iedereen het recht om software te gebruiken, te
begrijpen, aan te passen en te delen. Deze rechten helpen het
ondersteunen van andere fundamentele vrijheden zoals de vrijheid van
meningsuiting, pers en privacy.
De FSFE helpt individuen en organisaties begrijpen hoe Vrije Software
bijdraagt aan vrijheid, transparantie en zelfbeschikking. We verbeteren
gebruikersrechten door het opheffen van barrières voor de adoptie van
Vrije Software, moedigen mensen aan om Vrije Software te gebruiken en te
ontwikkelen en voorzien in middelen om iedereen in staat te stellen
Vrije Software in Europa verder te promoten.
https://fsfe.org
= Android Opwaarderen: blijf uw telefoon gebruiken met Vrije Software =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211125-01.nl.html ]
In de Europese Week van de Afvalvermindering lanceert de FSFE haar
nieuwe initiatief "Android Opwaarderen": telkens we onze telefoon
blijven gebruiken in plaats van een nieuwe te kopen, steunen we een
duurzamer gebruik van onze hulpbronnen. Android Opwaarderen helpt mensen
om softwareveroudering aan te pakken en om hun telefoon te blijven
gebruiken met Vrije Software.
Het is de Europese Week van de Afvalvermindering: een week die gewijd is
aan het promoten van het hergebruik van producten en materialen en aan
het helpen besparen van hulpbronnen en het verminderen van afval in het
dagelijks leven. De FSFE sluit zich met haar nieuwe initiatief hierbij
aan. "Android Opwaarderen" [1] is een initiatief te helpen besparen op
hulpbronnen door een van onze meest waardevolle apparaten in ons
dagelijks leven, onze telefoon, opnieuw te gebruiken.
Elk jaar produceren fabrikanten wereldwijd 1,5 miljard telefoons en
helaas worden er waarschijnlijk bijna evenveel weggegooid na wat meestal
een veel te korte hardwarelevensduur is. De korte levensduur van deze
telefoons is vaak het gevolg van zogenaamde "softwareveroudering": de
situatie waarin gebruikers voor het dilemma staan nieuwe hardware te
kopen of te leven met verouderde software. De milieugevolgen van deze
korte levensduur van hardware kunnen ernstig zijn. Om gebruikers te
helpen bij het overwinnen van dit probleem stellen we met Android
Opwaarderen mensen in staat om Android-telefoons op te waarderen met
Vrije Software. Elke keer dat we onze huidige telefoon blijven gebruiken
in plaats van een nieuwe te kopen, helpen we de productie van nieuwe
telefoons en de groeiende elektronische afvalverwerking te voorkomen.
Android Opwaarderen legt het probleem van software-veroudering in de
Android-wereld uit en helpt mensen hun telefoons te flitsen met Vrije
Software-besturingssystemen [2]. Dit proces biedt u niet alleen meer
controle over uw telefoon; het kan ook een betere ervaring opleveren dan
het gebruik van propriëtaire besturingssystemen. Maar het belangrijkste:
in gevallen waar telefoons geen software-updates meer krijgen van de
fabrikant helpt het overschakelen naar een besturingssysteem met Vrije
Software om uw telefoon up-to-date te houden. Op deze manier kunt u uw
toestel blijven gebruiken, het milieu helpen en genieten van nog veel
meer voordelen. Vrije Software geeft u onder andere uitgebreide
privacybescherming en volledige controle over uw apparaat omdat u
eindelijk apps kunt verwijderen die u voorheen niet kon verwijderen; om
er maar een paar te noemen.
=== Politieke achtergrond& informatiemateriaal ===
De FSFE zet zich gestaag in voor een duurzamer gebruik van technologie
met Vrije Software. In het begin van het jaar namen we deel aan de EU-
consultatie [3] over "Energy labelling of mobile phones and tablets" en
publiceerden later in het jaar een studie [4] naar de veroudering van
software met een oproep voor Apparaatneutraliteit en Software
Opwaarderen.
We hebben een grote verzameling informatie en achtergrondmateriaal [5]
om te helpen bij het verspreiden van de boodschap over de milieu-impact
van onze telefoons en het helpen bij het verkleinen van het probleem
door uw Android-toestel op te waarderen met Vrije Software. Het
materiaal bestaat uit stickers, info-afbeeldingen, folders, video's,
podcasts, artikelen en studies.
=== Komende activiteiten ===
In de komende maanden zullen de activiteiten van de FSFE binnen het
Android Opwaarderen-initiatief tweeledig zijn: in samenwerking met
lokale groepen organiseren we verschillende werkgroepen [6] waar mensen
bijeen kunnen komen en netwerken rond het thema Android Opwaarderen,
kunnen experimenteren met en hulp krijgen bij het flitsen van hun
telefoons. Daarnaast kijken we naar en nemen we deel aan de huidige
discussies op Europees niveau rond het "Sustainable Products Initiative"
en het "Circular Electronics Initiative". Binnen deze activiteiten
willen we de voordelen van Vrije Software voor een duurzamer gebruik van
onze producten uitleggen aan beleidsmakers.
Discussieer hierover [7]
1: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/upcyclingandroid.nl.html#head
2: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/howtoupcycle.nl.html#head
3: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20210127-01.nl.html
4: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211015-01.nl.html
5: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/informationmaterial.nl.html#he…
6: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/workshops.nl.html#head
7: https://community.fsfe.org/t/759
== Over de Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is een goed doel dat gebruikers in staat
stelt om technologie te controleren. Software is sterk verweven met
alle aspecten van onze levens. Het is belangrijk dat deze technologie
ons tot iets in staat stelt in plaats van ons te beperken. Vrije
Software geeft iedereen het recht om software te gebruiken, te
begrijpen, aan te passen en te delen. Deze rechten helpen het
ondersteunen van andere fundamentele vrijheden zoals de vrijheid van
meningsuiting, pers en privacy.
De FSFE helpt individuen en organisaties begrijpen hoe Vrije Software
bijdraagt aan vrijheid, transparantie en zelfbeschikking. We verbeteren
gebruikersrechten door het opheffen van barrières voor de adoptie van
Vrije Software, moedigen mensen aan om Vrije Software te gebruiken en te
ontwikkelen en voorzien in middelen om iedereen in staat te stellen
Vrije Software in Europa verder te promoten.
https://fsfe.org
= Digital Markets Act - the FSFE calls for Device Neutrality =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211122-01.nl.html ]
On the imminent voting of the Digital Markets Act - the latest EU
proposal on internet platform regulation - the FSFE demands device
neutrality as a fundamental element for safeguarding consumer protection
in open, fair, and contestable digital markets.
While digital devices are a ubiquitous reality in all aspects of life,
control over the hardware and software running on them is increasingly
being limited by internet platforms, digital services providers,
hardware manufacturers, and vendors. The European Commission's Digital
Markets Act (DMA) [1] is a regulatory instrument for targeting large
internet companies that act as gatekeepers in digital markets. Such
gatekeepers may be internet platforms, service providers, manufacturers,
and vendors satisfying criteria defined by law. This regulatory
initiative is an attempt to create fairer and more competitive markets
for online platforms in the EU. On November 22, the European
Parliament's leading IMCO committee will vote on its position.
The FSFE urges the Members of the European Parliament in the upcoming
vote to safeguard device neutrality principles based on Open Standards
[2] and interoperability, securing the interest of consumers for a
contestable, open, and competitive digital market in the EU.
Uw financiële bijdrage is belangrijk voor de vrijheid in de
informatiesamenleving.
== Word nu een supporter [3] Free Software and Device Neutrality ==
Device neutrality [4] translates as non-discrimination of services and
apps by providers, manufacturers, and vendors. The objective of device
neutrality is to enable consumers to bypass gatekeepers and enable a
fair and non-discriminatory use of Free Software in the application and
operating system layers of devices. The FSFE demands the inclusion of
the following principles in the DMA legislation:
- *Strict end-user consent for pre-installed apps*. The DMA must impose
on gatekeepers the obligation to allow their customers to uninstall
any pre-installed software applications they provide on their services
or with their hardware. This means more restrictive rules for pre-
installed apps, providing users the same access privileges for both
pre-installed and alternative apps, and the possibility to uninstall
pre-loaded apps;
- *No vendor lock-in*. The DMA should enable side-loading of apps in
dominant operating systems, so consumers can install any compatible
software on their devices. The DMA shall require gatekeepers to permit
third-party app stores and code repositories that compete with their
own. The law must prohibit gatekeepers limiting the ability of end-
users to switch between and subscribe to different software
applications and services. This prevents gatekeepers from locking
users into specific service providers;
- *Interoperability of services based on* Open Standards [5]. It is
urgent for the DMA to require gatekeepers to provide free of charge
access to and interoperability with the same hardware and software
features accessed or controlled via an operating system. This includes
communication apps and social media platforms. Interoperability should
be defined by Open Standards;
- *Real-time data portability*. The DMA should require gatekeepers to
provide real-time data portability for devices, so that consumers can
switch from one device to another - including operating systems - as
smoothly as possible.
== Next steps ==
After the committee voting on Monday, 22 November, the proposal will
incorporate the approved amendments. Next up is the plenary voting to
achieve the final position of the European Parliament, planned for
December. The FSFE will continue to monitor the whole process closely
and demand device neutrality to the full extent in the legislative text,
so users are empowered to control technology.
"The digital markets will benefit by the regulatory proposal of the DMA.
Device neutrality is fundamental for a fair, competitive, and
contestable market. We demand stricter consent rules for pre-installed
apps, no vendor lock-in, full interoperability, and real-time data
portability. Free Software and Open Standards are key to achieve these
goals", says Lucas Lasota, the FSFE's Deputy Legal Coordinator.
Discussieer hierover [6]
1: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-…
2: https://fsfe.org/freesoftware/standards/index.nl.html
3: https://my.fsfe.org/donate?referrer=https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-2021112…
4: https://fsfe.org/freesoftware/sustainability/sustainability.nl.html#id-devi…
5: https://fsfe.org/freesoftware/standards/index.nl.html
6: https://community.fsfe.org/t/763
== Over de Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is een goed doel dat gebruikers in staat
stelt om technologie te controleren. Software is sterk verweven met
alle aspecten van onze levens. Het is belangrijk dat deze technologie
ons tot iets in staat stelt in plaats van ons te beperken. Vrije
Software geeft iedereen het recht om software te gebruiken, te
begrijpen, aan te passen en te delen. Deze rechten helpen het
ondersteunen van andere fundamentele vrijheden zoals de vrijheid van
meningsuiting, pers en privacy.
De FSFE helpt individuen en organisaties begrijpen hoe Vrije Software
bijdraagt aan vrijheid, transparantie en zelfbeschikking. We verbeteren
gebruikersrechten door het opheffen van barrières voor de adoptie van
Vrije Software, moedigen mensen aan om Vrije Software te gebruiken en te
ontwikkelen en voorzien in middelen om iedereen in staat te stellen
Vrije Software in Europa verder te promoten.
https://fsfe.org
= Dutch government formation: open letter on Free Software and Public Money? Public Code! =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211118-01.nl.html ]
The Dutch government is about to form itself and setting up goals for
the next term. With an open letter, the FSFE urges the coalition parties
to implement the "open, unless" policy of 2020 and thus the principle of
Public Money? Public Code!
Free Software gives everybody the right to use, study, share, and
improve software. This right helps support other fundamental freedoms
like freedom of speech, press and privacy. With the principle of "Public
Money? Public Code!" implemented, the government will improve the
transparency and digital sovereignty.
Also it will help educational institutions with digital skills,
information literacy, and improving the privacy of students and staff.
At the same time it will stimulate the IT market and thus others like
the labour market. Open code encourages cooperation with governments at
home and abroad.
First attempts to promote Free Software among public bodies, like the
"open, unless" policy of 2020, need to be followed, implemented, and
extended. We urge for legislation requiring that publicly financed
software developed for the public sector be made publicly available
under a Free Software license. Code paid by the people should be
available to the people!
You can read the full open letter in Dutch [1] and in English [2].
Uw financiële bijdrage is belangrijk voor de vrijheid in de
informatiesamenleving.
Word nu een supporter [3] Discussieer hierover [4]
1: https://download.fsfe.org/campaigns/pmpc/FSFE_letter_20211116_NL.pdf
2: https://download.fsfe.org/campaigns/pmpc/FSFE_letter_20211116_EN.pdf
3: https://my.fsfe.org/donate?referrer=https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-2021111…
4: https://community.fsfe.org/t/758
== Over de Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is een goed doel dat gebruikers in staat
stelt om technologie te controleren. Software is sterk verweven met
alle aspecten van onze levens. Het is belangrijk dat deze technologie
ons tot iets in staat stelt in plaats van ons te beperken. Vrije
Software geeft iedereen het recht om software te gebruiken, te
begrijpen, aan te passen en te delen. Deze rechten helpen het
ondersteunen van andere fundamentele vrijheden zoals de vrijheid van
meningsuiting, pers en privacy.
De FSFE helpt individuen en organisaties begrijpen hoe Vrije Software
bijdraagt aan vrijheid, transparantie en zelfbeschikking. We verbeteren
gebruikersrechten door het opheffen van barrières voor de adoptie van
Vrije Software, moedigen mensen aan om Vrije Software te gebruiken en te
ontwikkelen en voorzien in middelen om iedereen in staat te stellen
Vrije Software in Europa verder te promoten.
https://fsfe.org