[FSFE PR][ES] German Parliament receives Upcycling Android Open Letter

[press en fsfe.org]

 = German Parliament receives Upcycling Android Open Letter =

[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20231115-01.es.html ]

On 14 November, the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) handed over
the Open Letter “The right to install any software on any device" to
Tabea Rößner, Chair of the Digital Affairs Committee at the German
Bundestag. The letter aims to enable a more sustainable use of
electronic products and devices in the European Union.

To achieve this goal, the Open Letter [1] sets out four key demands:

1. Users have the right to freely choose operating systems and software
   running on their devices

2. Users have the right to freely choose between service providers to
   connect their devices with

3. Devices are interoperable and compatible with open standards

4. Source code of drivers, tools, and interfaces are published under a
   free license

Signed by more than 3000 individuals and by 147 organisations, the Open
Letter to European Union legislators was presented on 14 November to the
Chair of the Digital Affairs Committee (Ausschuss für Digitales) at the
German Bundestag, by a delegation from the FSFE.

Tabea Rößner, Chair of the Digital Committee, commented when receiving
the open letter:"So many devices end up on the scrapyard after just two
or three years. But the devices are still in good condition and could be
made to last with new software. We could bring them back to life,
especially with Free Software. It would be a real sustainability effect
if we had the right to install any software on any device. That's why
this initiative is absolutely worth supporting.”

Rößner announced that she would hand over the Open Letter to Steffi
Lemke, Germany's Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature
Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.

"The Open Letter is part of our Upcycling Android campaign, which we
started to raise awareness about how Free Software can help to improve
the sustainability of our digital devices. In addition to the Open
Letter, the initiative has held workshops, developed policy
recommendations, and received a lot of public attention, promoting the
right of every user to install any software on any device. Moreover,
upcycling our devices is an important step in rethinking our short-term,
linear consumption of electronic devices in favour of a circular
economy”, explains Johannes Näder, FSFE Senior Policy Project Manager.

 == About Upcycling Android ==

Launched in November 2021, under the name “Upcycling Android" [2], this
FSFE initiative has also helped people to flash their phones with Free
Software operating systems. This not only promotes the right of any user
to install any software on any device, but also enables a more
sustainable use of electronic products.

Even after the project has officially ended, the Upcycling Android
material can be freely used by others who want to continue promoting the
use of Free Software while overcoming software obsolescence.

 1: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/openletter.es.html
 2: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/index.es.html

  == 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