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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: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 26 2015, @09:29AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 26 2015, @09:29AM (#187938)

    He would have all software conform to his definition of "free", which he claims has no proper translation in English when it fact it does. The word he refuses to use is "public".

    That's not a bad suggestion, though the word does have according to Wiktionary misleading meanings "Officially representing the community; carried out or funded by the state on behalf of the community."

    As it stands, the copyright incentive makes it possible for people to create systems that don't have the flaws he outlines, and to make money on such a thing if customers find such systems more attractive.

    LOL what? It's the "copyright incentive" system that has created the monstrosities he criticizes... And people don't vote with their money because they're dumb and uninformed. But it's not OK to rob or rape a child simply because they can't defend themselves.

    It's [free software] of virtually no practical use to anyone

    Wow, we delve ever deeper into the lala land. In case you haven't noticed, free software is taking the world by storm. You're using it every single day. Too bad you don't realize it.

    Do some reading buddy, start with free software adoption. [wikipedia.org]

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 26 2015, @10:49AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 26 2015, @10:49AM (#187955)

    Maybe that's why so much recent software is garbage though :)

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 26 2015, @03:42PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 26 2015, @03:42PM (#188074)

      Maybe its not :P

  • (Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 26 2015, @08:12PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 26 2015, @08:12PM (#188239)

    Top-level AC here. You didn't just pull my quote out of context. You literally modified it with brackets to change the meaning. The antecedent of "it's" isn't Free Software. It's *the ability modify the software*. There was even an analogy to surgery that drove the point home. This isn't even a subtle rhetorical point. It's just a Burning-man sized straw-man you're torching up there.