Tobias Diekershoff
e622f182c7
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505 lines
21 KiB
HTML
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
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<html>
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<version>3</version>
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<head>
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<title>Device Neutrality</title>
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</head>
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<body class="article">
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<h1>Device Neutrality</h1>
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<div>
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<div id="introduction">
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<p>
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Although digital devices are ubiquitous today, the number of devices on
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which users cannot run Free Software is exponentially increasing. The
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consequence is an increased loss of control over users' technology.
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Device Neutrality aims to enable end-users to bypass gatekeepers to have
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a non-discriminatory use of Free Software on their devices.
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</p>
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</div>
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<!-- @TRANSLATORS: the banner's source file you find here:
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https://download.fsfe.org/device-neutrality/device-neutrality-logo-banner.odp -->
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<figure class="max-width-100 no-border">
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<img
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src="https://pics.fsfe.org/uploads/medium/fd/a2/78ed39d4c12a02fad06ec086ba44.png"
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alt="Device neutrality: safeguarding free software in devices" />
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</figure>
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<div class="toc">
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<p>Table of contents</p>
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<ol>
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<li>
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<a href="#dn-re-empowerment">Devices and End-User Re-Empowerment</a>
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</li>
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<li>
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<a href="#general-purpose-computer-free-software">General Purpose Computers and Free Software</a>
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</li>
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<li>
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<a href="#gatekeeper-control-monopoly-devices">Gatekeeper Control and Monopoly over Devices</a>
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</li>
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<li>
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<a href="#device-neutrality-free-software">Device Neutrality and Free Software</a>
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<ol>
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<li><a href="#dn-software-freedom">Software Freedom</a></li>
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<li><a href="#dn-no-lock-in">No Lock-In</a></li>
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<li><a href="#dn-control-over-data">End-User Control Over Data</a></li>
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</ol>
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</li>
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<li>
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<a href="#dn-reality">Making Device Neutrality a Reality</a>
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</li>
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</ol>
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</div>
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<h2 id="dn-re-empowerment">Devices and End-User Re-Empowerment</h2>
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<p>
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We all know the joy of acquiring a new device and the excitement of exploring
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its features and functionalities. Let's imagine the scenario where you
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bought a new smartphone.
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</p>
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<p>
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You are thrilled to learn and discover all that your device can deliver.
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You want to install apps, use the camera, access the internet,
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run games, and enjoy all what your equipment can perform.
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However, soon you start to realise that something is wrong. In
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order to start your phone, you are prompted to create an online account
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for using the device.
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</p>
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<p>
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Further, you begin to perceive how limited you are in downloading and installing new apps and
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programs. The only possible way is via the manufacturer's apps store or marketplace.
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You may be even forbidden to sideload or install third party software,
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including <a href="https://www.f-droid.org/">alternative repositories</a>.
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Most weirdly, you are not allowed to remove pre-installed programs that are
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occupying the device's memory space and unduly draining its battery.
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</p>
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<p>
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You may think this is an issue with the operating system and start searching
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for alternatives. However, your device boots only a specific fully or partly proprietary operating
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system. In other words, you <a
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href="/activities/upcyclingandroid/">cannot install a different operating system</a>. Finally, you sadly realise
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that although your smartphone is a general purpose computer, you are stuck with an
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artificially limited device which performs much less than you expected.
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</p>
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<figure class="no-border">
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<img
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src="https://pics.fsfe.org/uploads/big/d0988bf4e317a6cd7953689adf50b573.jpg"
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alt="Person staring at smartphone at the table." />
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<figcaption>
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Limitations to Free Software, vendor lock-in, and lack of control over personal
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data are current hurdles faced by end-users in digital markets.
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</figcaption>
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</figure>
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<p>
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Issues like these, and many others related to browsers, search engines, and
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hardware, are a common occurrence in digital markets. End-users are experiencing
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a severe limitation on their rights and ability to freely use their devices.
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Basic freedoms such as installing and uninstalling software are being unfairly limited
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by these companies, commonly referred to as "gatekeepers", because of their
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monopolistic control over devices.
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</p>
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<p>
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Device Neutrality is a policy concept to enable end-users to bypass gatekeepers
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in order to run Free Software and use services independently of the control
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exercised by hardware manufacturers, vendors, and platforms. On this page
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you will learn that Device Neutrality can be achieved by safeguarding
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software freedom in devices, protecting end-users from lock-in,
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and promoting standardised ways of data interoperability.
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</p>
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<h2 id="general-purpose-computer-free-software">General Purpose Computers and Free Software</h2>
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<p>
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Digital devices are a present reality in all aspects of life. We use them
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for work, communication, entertainment, and internet access. Such devices
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are powerful machines, allowing us to have access to a huge number of
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features and perform an almost infinite number of tasks. Our smartphones,
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tablets, laptops, and other connected devices are <strong>general purpose
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computers</strong>. That means we can potentially run any software we want to
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make full use of the hardware. This potential is fostered by Free Software.
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</p>
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<p>
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Software freedom depends on how we can run
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software in devices. Safeguarding <a
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href="/freesoftware/freesoftware.html">the four freedoms of Free Software</a>
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over operating systems, drivers, app stores, browsers, and any other software is
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crucial not only for freedom of choice, but also for a healthy,
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competitive, democratic and <a
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href="/freesoftware/sustainability/sustainability.html#id-device-neutrality">sustainable</a>
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digital environment.
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</p>
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<figure class="no-border">
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<img
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src="https://pics.fsfe.org/uploads/medium/d534afb7636cafbee2ec91bda7283ec0.png"
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alt="Drawings of a computer and smartphone." />
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<figcaption>
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Everyone should be able to run the software they want on their general purpose computers.
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</figcaption>
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</figure>
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<h2 id="gatekeeper-control-monopoly-devices">Gatekeeper Monopoly over Devices</h2>
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<p>
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Although the devices we use are general purpose computers, device
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manufacturers, vendors, and internet platforms have been restricting
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software freedom by exercising their monopolistic control over end-user
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equipment. This power is used over key features and components of
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devices such as operating systems, browsers, and app stores. Since these elements
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are essential for the functioning of devices, they constitute a
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<strong>termination monopoly</strong>, which grants such companies powers in the
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sense that they could be considered "gatekeepers of gateways" for
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end-users to access and control software, hardware, and services of their devices.
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</p>
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<p>
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Manufacturers, vendors, and platforms controlling devices may
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perform a <strong>gatekeeper function</strong> in similar ways to a provider of
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an internet access connection controlling a gateway to the internet. The more
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important the device features and components are for end-users, the more
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entrenched the position of the gatekeeper can become in the digital markets.
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</p>
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<p>
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Monopolised markets are prejudicial to fair competition
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and consumer welfare. With gatekeepers controlling operating systems,
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app stores, browsers, and key online services, end-users are left
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with no or few choices, hindering individual freedoms and self-determination.
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In general terms, gatekeeper control is achieved by:
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</p>
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<ul>
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<li>
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<strong>Restricting Software Freedom</strong>: Gatekeepers limit or prevent users
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installing different operating systems, browsers, app stores, drivers,
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etc. on their devices. They also impose pre-installed apps on users, and
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make their uninstallation impossible.
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</li>
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<li>
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<strong>Locking devices down</strong>: Such companies hinder
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interoperability, exercise tight control over APIs, and apply proprietary
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standards, hampering functionalities and blocking access to drivers and
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hardware.
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</li>
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<li>
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<strong>Increasing switching costs</strong>: Gatekeepers keep users
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in "walled gardens", tie devices to online accounts, bundle app stores,
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and hamper data portability, making it harder for users to switch
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software, devices, and services.
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</li>
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</ul>
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<figure class="no-border">
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<a
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href="https://pics.fsfe.org/uploads/medium/77a19abc35b147a07d16525ddf38b37a.png">
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<img
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src="https://pics.fsfe.org/uploads/medium/77a19abc35b147a07d16525ddf38b37a.png"
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alt="Drawing of smartphone, a person and locked devices." />
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</a>
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<figcaption>
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Gatekeepers' power over devices: restricting software freedom, locking devices down, and increasing switching costs.
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</figcaption>
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</figure>
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<module id="banner-subscribe" />
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<h2 id="device-neutrality-free-software">Device Neutrality and Free Software</h2>
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<p>
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The monopolistic power of gatekeepers threatens software freedom, individual
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autonomy, consumer welfare, and digital sovereignty. Device Neutrality
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represents ways to disintermediate the power of gatekeepers and re-establish
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competition in markets and end-user control over devices. Users should be
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able to bypass gatekeepers and have the ability to run Free Software on
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their equipment. Device Neutrality's main goal is to resolve the
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termination monopoly over devices, so users can enjoy software freedom and
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have access to alternative services and content with their devices.
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</p>
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<p>
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Re-establishing end-user control over devices and fair competition in digital
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markets requires safeguarding software freedom in devices, protecting end-users
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from lock-in, and promoting end-user control over data.
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</p>
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<div class="icon-grid one-per-row">
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<ul>
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<li>
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<img src="/graphics/icons/autonomy.png" alt="A broken chain" />
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<div>
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<h3 id="dn-software-freedom">Software Freedom</h3>
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<p>
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Blocking end-users' freedom to install, run, and uninstall software on
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their devices is a central source of gatekeepers' control. Although gatekeepers may
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argue that installing third party software could be potentially harmful to users due to
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security, data integrity, and privacy concerns, in fact commercial
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interests are the main drive to lock users in.
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</p>
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<p>
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Instead, regaining control over devices requires <a
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href="/activities/upcyclingandroid/openletter.html">safeguarding
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software freedom</a>. Users should have the ability to install and
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uninstall any software, including operating systems and app
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stores. Besides, gatekeepers should provide the same access
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privileges to third party applications as to the pre-installed ones.
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</p>
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</div>
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</li>
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<li>
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<img src="/graphics/icons/no-lock-in.png" alt="An open lock" />
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<div>
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<h3 id="dn-no-lock-in">No Lock-In</h3>
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<p>
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Keeping users in very restrictive
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environments is another key source of gatekeeper control. Users can only
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access and use different services if their devices can interact and
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communicate with other devices and services. Big tech industry players exercise direct
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control over their customers by locking them into a very limited number
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of proprietary alternatives that operate within a "compatible" but not
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interoperable ecosystem. This results in less freedom for users and
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increasing switching costs.
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</p>
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<p>
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Therefore, high degrees of interoperability, wide implementation
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of <a href="/freesoftware/standards/index.html">Open
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Standards</a>, and easy access to APIs' specifications and
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functionalities invoked by third party apps are fundamental.
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Equally important, devices should not be bundled with app stores
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and online accounts. Gatekeepers should permit third-party app
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stores and code repositories in their devices. Gatekeepers should
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provide non-discriminatory access to Free Software in their
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stores, and not favour or give undue preference to their own
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products.
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</p>
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</div>
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</li>
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<li>
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<img src="/graphics/icons/transparency.png" alt="An open hand" />
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<div>
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<h3 id="dn-control-over-data">End-User Control Over Data</h3>
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<p>
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Breaking monopolies over
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devices necessarily requires empowering users to control their own data
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on their equipment. Smartphones, smartwatches, and computers are very personal
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equipment which accumulate a large amount of personal and non-personal
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data that users care about. Transferring such data constitutes a switching cost that
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can be decisive in preventing users from exercising their freedom to
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change devices. This is especially problematic for switching between
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operating systems. Besides, the importance of the correlation between
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data and software tends to grow, encompassing further developments with
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artificial intelligence and future technologies, which will create an
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additional layer of complexity for end-users controlling their data.
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</p>
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<p>
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That's why end-users should be able to easily transfer personal
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data from apps, operating systems, and devices. Most importantly,
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gatekeepers should be bound to <a
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href="/freesoftware/standards/index.html">Open Standards</a> and
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common interfaces for data transfer.
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</p>
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</div>
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</li>
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</ul>
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</div>
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<hr />
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<h2 id="dn-reality">Making Device Neutrality a Reality</h2>
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<p>
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Since its genesis, the FSFE has been working to put control over
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technology in the hands of users. Through the years, we have gained
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experience with several dedicated activities focused on how users can keep
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their control over devices. We have been working closely with decision makers,
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communities, and businesses to ensure that end-users are empowered to control
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technology. Our work has been translating the demands for Device Neutrality into
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a vivid reality for digital markets with several dedicated activities and
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initiatives.
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</p>
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<h3 id="dn-dma">Digital Markets Act</h3>
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<p>
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In 2022, several components of Device Neutrality were included in the
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<a href="/activities/dma/dma.html">Digital Markets Act (DMA)</a>,
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the European Union's largest initiative to regulate gatekeepers in digital
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markets. Although the law contains the principles for making Device
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Neutrality a reality, its regulations concern only very large platforms.
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The DMA establishes obligations for gatekeepers - “dos” and “don'ts” they
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must comply with - and prescribes fines and penalties for infringements.
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The DMA encompasses several rules concerning Device Neutrality, including
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safeguarding the right to uninstall pre-installed software and several
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measures for preventing lock-in, as well as fostering interoperability and
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end-user control over personal data.
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</p>
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<blockquote>
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<p><strong>EU Court Case: Holding Apple accountable under the DMA</strong></p>
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<p>
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The FSFE is intervening for Free Software in a key court case involving Apple and the European Commission.
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Apple is trying to avoid obligations derived from the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
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<a href="/activities/apple-litigation/apple-litigation.html">The FSFE seeks to hold Apple accountable under the DMA</a> in a developer-friendly way.
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</p>
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</blockquote>
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<h3 id="dn-initiatives">Initiatives for Device Neutrality</h3>
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<p>
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Device ecosystems are extremely complex, and enforcing Device Neutrality
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requires dedicated initiatives focusing on specific aspects of how end-users
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use and interact with devices. Through the years, our activities have related
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to several components of Device Neutrality, such as promoting software freedom,
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protecting end-users from lock-in, and fostering self-empowerment related to
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personal data.
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</p>
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<div class="icon-grid">
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<ul>
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<li>
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<img src="/graphics/icons/legal-structure.png" alt="A symbol for a legal file" />
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<div>
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<h3 id="id-dma-icon">DMA</h3>
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<p>
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The <a href="/activities/dma/dma.html">Digital Markets Act (DMA)</a>
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is a game-changer for regulating gatekeepers. Its rules pertain to several
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aspects of Device Neutrality. The FSFE collaborated in the legislative
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process and is closely following its implementation.
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</p>
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</div>
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</li>
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<li>
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<img src="/graphics/logos/RouterFreedom-logo.png" alt="Router Freedom Logo" />
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<div>
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<h3 id="id-router-freedom">Router Freedom</h3>
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<p>
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<a href="/activities/routers/routers.html">Router Freedom</a> is the right
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everyone has to choose and use their own routers and modems. The FSFE has been
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working for a decade to make this right a reality.
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</p>
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</div>
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</li>
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<li>
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<img src="/graphics/logos/ua.png" alt="Logo of Upcycling Android" />
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<div>
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<h3 id="id-ua">Upcycling Android</h3>
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<p>
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Free Software helps to extend the lifespan of devices. With <a href="/activities/upcyclingandroid">Upcycling Android</a>
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we are promoting sustainable ways to overcome software obsolescence in
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the Android world.
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</p>
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</div>
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</li>
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<li>
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<img src="/graphics/logos/radiodirective.png" alt="Logo of the Radio Lockdown Directive activity" />
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<div>
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<h3 id="id-red">Radio Lockdown Directive</h3>
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<p>
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EU legislation can sometimes create hurdles for the usage of Free Software
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in radio devices. We are promoting <a href="/activities/radiodirective/radiodirective.html">better policy and legislative solutions</a>
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for end-users of radio equipment.
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</p>
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</div>
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</li>
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</ul>
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</div>
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|
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<figure class="no-border">
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<img
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src="https://pics.fsfe.org/uploads/medium/991c7845beed330024615173a7c4175d.jpg"
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alt="Three happy persons work together with computers and smartphones." />
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<figcaption>
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People should be in control of technology. Help us to make Device
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Neutrality a reality!
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</figcaption>
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</figure>
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<p>
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Nevertheless, although the Device Neutrality principles may seem common
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knowledge for the Free Software community, they are far from being current
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commercial practices by gatekeepers. Monitoring enforcement of and
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compliance with the DMA, conducting device-related activities, and
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promoting software freedom require a lot of resources.
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<fsfe-cd-donate-link>Please consider becoming a FSFE
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donor</fsfe-cd-donate-link>; you enable our long-term engagement and
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professional commitment in defending people's rights to control
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technology.
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</p>
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<p class="text-center">
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<fsfe-cd-donate-link class="btn btn-lg btn-primary">
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I want to donate for Device Neutrality!
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</fsfe-cd-donate-link>
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</p>
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</div>
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|
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<related-feed tag="deviceneutrality" />
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</body>
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|
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<sidebar promo="our-work">
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<h2>Enforcing Device Neutrality</h2>
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<ul>
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<li><a href="/activities/dma/dma.html">Device Neutrality and the DMA</a>
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</li>
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</ul>
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|
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<h2>Free Software and Devices</h2>
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<ul>
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<li><a href="/activities/routers/">Router Freedom</a></li>
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<li><a href="/activities/upcyclingandroid/">Upcycling Android</a></li>
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<li><a href="/activities/radiodirective/">EU Radio Lockdown</a></li>
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</ul>
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<h2>Support the FSFE</h2>
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<p>
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As a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, Free Software Foundation
|
|
Europe works to create general understanding and support for Free Software
|
|
and Open Standards in politics, business, law, and society at large.
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By becoming a supporter of the FSFE you empower our work and help to assure our financial independence.
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</p>
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<fsfe-cd-donate-link class="big-donate">Become a supporter</fsfe-cd-donate-link>
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</sidebar>
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</html>
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