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posted by janrinok on Tuesday May 26 2015, @01:51AM   Printer-friendly
from the barbie-is-watching! dept.

El Reg published a story that quotes GNU evangelist and free-software advocate saying just about what we would expect him to say today about the current state of technology:

Linux GNU firebrand Richard Stallman says Windows and Mac OS are malware, Amazon is Orwellian, and anyone who trusts the internet-of-things is an ass. In a column for The Guardian, Stallman preaches to the non-technical masses about the evils of proprietary software and vendor lock-in, and how closed-door coding facilitates clandestine deals with nation state spy agencies.

"What kinds of programs constitute malware? Operating systems, first of all," Stallman testifies.

"Apple systems are malware too: MacOS snoops and shackles; iOS snoops, shackles, censors apps and has a backdoor.

"Even Android contains malware in a non-free component: a back door for remote forcible installation or de-installation of any app."

Stallman references a a Bloomberg report in saying Microsoft "sabotages" Windows users by disclosing vulnerabilities to the NSA before patches are released. It isn't just Windows and MacOS that Stallman brands malware: Barbie dolls, smart TVs, and cars also earn his ire thanks to the potential for marketers to secretly pry on a child's worst fears or listen in to lounge room conversations.

I'm not sure that I'm going to worry about Barbie dolls listening on conversations, but I understand his concerns. I have often wondered about the expansion of sophisticated computer technology into all aspects of life, such as in HDTVs and cars. The possibilities for abuse are many, and we have learned over recent years governments are not immune from exploiting vulnerabilities to commit serious crimes and violations of our civil liberties.


[Editor's Comment: Original Submission]

 
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  • (Score: 2) by aristarchus on Tuesday May 26 2015, @05:59AM

    by aristarchus (2645) on Tuesday May 26 2015, @05:59AM (#187880) Journal

    What's shocking is how short and terse his list of anti-Google arguments is.

    This is the "Horizontal Strategy" from the Warring States Period in China! Brilliant! The evil of evil is my evil! Or, we ally with the soul-less corporation that has "don't be evil" as it's motto, turn that against the older (Think "Chi" state) evil that then must say that they disagree with that, and so further our claims to establish a new dynasty. So everything that the Fearless Leader has predicted has come to pass. The forces of proprietary software have done exactly as expected. Now is the time for the people who make the code to own the code, for the people who use the code to own the code! From each according to their ability, to each according to their need!! Kropotkin is alive and well in free software. (Although, it was actually the anarchist Proudhon who said that particular bit. Or maybe Louis Blanc? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_each_according_to_his_ability,_to_each_according_to_his_need [wikipedia.org] Oh, heck. Absolute right of authorship, moral right, not copyright. )

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