= FSFE wins the transparency challenge of the EU Datathon 2022 =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20221026-01.fr.html ]
The sixth edition of EU Datathon [1], the EU’s open data competition,
came to a close last week with the awards ceremony. The Free Software
Foundation Europe (FSFE) won the first prize in the challenge
‘transparency in public procurement’ with a program that helps analyse
how public administrations in the European Union spend their money.
At the EU Datathon finals, that took place in Brussels as part of the
European Year of Youth [2], TEDective, the project submitted by the
FSFE, ended up winning one of the four proposed challenges, that Europe
is currently facing: the achievement of transparency in public
procurement.
Using open data this Free Software program empowers citizens by making
EU tendering data accesible to everyone who wants to consult and use it.
For example, it will allow a journalist to find out how much money the
government spends on Microsoft licenses and products, but also to
compare that spending with other regions in similar cases or even in
comparison with other countries.
“Although it might seem boring at first sight, TED data reveals crucial
information about the economic activity of business and state
organisations alike. As, there was no Free Software solution making this
data accessible to non-experts, this is what we’re trying to do with
TEDective”, explains Linus Sehn, system administrator at FSFE and one of
the members of the TEDective team. This first prize, which comes with a
cash reward of 25,000 euros, willl contribute to raise awareness to the
need of making tendering data accesible and easy to analyze.
=== Available for using, understanding sharing and improving ===
Developed with the help of Michael Weimann [3], and released as a REUSE-
compliant [4] project under a Free Software (also known as Open Source)
license, TEDective improves access to the data published by Tenders
Electronic Daily [5] (TED), fullfilling all of the following
requirements with regards to the provision of TED data: it is available
without costs for commercial as well as non-commercial use; it is up-to-
date (updates at least on a monthly basis), cleaned and both buyers and
suppliers are adequately deduplicated; and it can be downloaded in bulk,
making it available as Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) to allow
interoperability. Besides, it will be designed, maintained and monitored
transparently and in close co-operation with all relevant stakeholders
and user groups.
Sustainably providing long-term access to European tendering data in a
way that fulfils these requirements could enable numerous applications
that are of interest to civil society, business, the press, and beyond
which could greatly enhance the transparency of business activity in
Europe. There are a range of interesting questions that can be answered
with this data if it was available in a well-documented and easy-to-
understand format that is interoperable with tendering data published
elsewhere.
If you want to find out more about TEDective, feel free to check out the
git repository software [6]. The team is also looking for data experts,
who want to help, so if you are interested, please contact the team by
emailing tedective(a)fsfe.org [7].
=== The EU Datathon 2022 ===
Empowering young people in the job market, reducing greenhouse
emissions, and bringing European cultural heritage closer to citizens:
these were some of the ambitions put forward by the 12 finalist teams of
this year’s EU Datathon, [8] The teams were shortlisted from an initial
156 entries from 38 countries, the highest participation in the
competition’s history, and competed in four categories, all highly
relevant to the challenges Europe faces today: the European Green Deal,
transparency in public procurement, EU public procurement opportunities
for young people, and a Europe fit for the digital age.
Prior to the finals, the finalists had the opportunity to present their
ideas for apps built on EU open data in a series of videos [9] while, on
the final day, they pitched their polished apps to the jury of 14 open
data experts and the online audience. In his opening speech,
Commissioner Johannes Hahn praised the teams’ innovative approaches
underlining that “There is also a strong positive impact on
accountability, transparency, participation, inclusion and democracy,
supporting core European values” while Ms Hilde Hardeman, Director
General of the Publications Office of the EU, highlighted that “The
European Union is well aware of the immense opportunities data offer. We
are truly determined to make the most out of these, for our citizens,
economies, societies”.
The EU Datathon competition is organised annually by the Publications
Office of the European Union, [10] in support of the European Strategy
for Data [11]. [12] The 2022 edition had the active support of over 20
partners, representing open data stakeholders from both inside and
outside the EU institutions.
1: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eudatathon
2: https://youth.europa.eu/year-of-youth_en
3: https://weimann.digital/
4: https://reuse.software/
5: https://ted.europa.eu/TED/browse/browseByMap.do
6: https://git.fsfe.org/fsfe-system-hackers/tedective
7: https://fsfe.org/mailto:tedective@fsfe.org
8: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eudatathon
9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYiuDfq64-Y&list=PLT5rARDev_rnik8jF6E8k5AjN…
10: https://op.europa.eu/
11: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/strategy-data
12: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/strategy-data
== 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
= European Parliament votes for Free Software in AI resolution – This position must now be included in the AI regulation =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20220503-01.fr.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.fr.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
= Éco-conception à l'UE : 38 organisations demandent le droit d'accéder à et de réutiliser les matériels =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20220427-01.fr.html ]
La FSFE publie une lettre ouverte, co-signée par 37 organisations et
entreprises, pour demander aux législateurs de l'UE le droit d'installer
tout logiciel sur tout appareil, incluant le plein accès au matériel.
Ces droits viennent au soutien de la réutilisabilité et la longévité de
nos appareils. L'alliance est composée d'entités des secteurs
environnemental, économique et technologique.
L'Union européenne est sur le point de redéfinir le critère d'éco-
conception pour les produits dans plusieurs propositions législatives,
incluant l'Initiative pour des Produits Durables, l'Initiative pour
l'Électronique Circulaire, et le Droit de Réparer. Ces propositions ont
pour objectif d'étendre la durée d'utilisation des matériels et de
faciliter l'utilisation circulaire des appareils électroniques. Les
régulations actuelles datent de 2009 et n'incluent aucun critère visant
la conception et les licences des logiciels comme facteur important pour
la durabilité des produits électroniques. Les logiciels influencent
directement pendant combien de temps les consommateurs peuvent continuer
d'utiliser leurs appareils.
De nos jours, les utilisateurs qui veulent continuer d'utiliser leurs
appareils pendant plus longtemps, ou réutiliser leurs matériels de façon
créative, font face à une grande gamme de barrières logicielles : de
l'obsolescence à une inattendue fin du support, de la sérialisation des
pièces de rechange aux chargeurs d'amorçage bloqués. En pratique, ces
restrictions artificielles sur l'utilisation et la réutilisation des
matériels sont finalement imposées par les logiciels. Ni les
consommateurs ni les services tiers professionnels ne peuvent les
vaincre, souvent simplement à cause de l'obscurité imposée par les
modèles de licences des logiciels propriétaires. Utiliser des licences
de Logiciels Libres résout un grand nombre de ces problèmes et de cette
façon devient crucial pour une conception écologique et pour la
durabilité des matériels ; c'est le message au cœur d'une Lettre ouverte
publiée aujourd'hui par la Free Software Foundation Europe et co-signée
par 37 organisations et entreprises européennes [1].
Parmi les signataires initiaux se trouvent de grandes unions pour la
réparation : la Campagne européenne Droit de Réparer, la Round Table
Repair, et l'Initiative Netzwerk Reparatur — représentant ensemble des
centaines d'initiatives et d'associations du secteur de la réparation
européen. Avec iFixit, Fairphone, Germanwatch, Open Source Business
Alliance, Wikimedie DE, Digitalcourage, European Digital Rights
Initiative, et 28 autres organisations, elles demandent aux législateurs
européens une économie numérique plus durable en donnant aux
utilisateurs le droit de choisir librement les systèmes d'exploitation,
les appareils et les services. La lettre divise ce droit en quatre
demandes clés :
=== Le droit universel d'installer tout logiciel sur tout appareil ===
Les utilisateurs douvent avoir le droit universel d'installer et
développer tout système d'exploitation et logiciel qu'ils veulent pour
tout appareil. Les obstacles juridiques, techniques ou autres à la
réutilisation de ces appareils pour tout objectif doivent être
interdits.
=== Choix libre des fournisseurs de services en ligne ===
Utiliser un certain matériel ne doit pas dicter quels services en ligne
utiliser. L'obligation de se connecter aux services en ligne via les
Standards Ouverts doit donner aux utilisateurs le pouvoir de choisir des
services de divers fabricants, incluant les services auto-hébergés ou
ceux hébergés par des tiers.
=== Appareils interopérables et compatibles ===
Utiliser un certain matériel ne doit pas dicter quels autres matériels
acheter afin de conserver ces appareils connectés. Les fabricants
doivent fournir toutes les données nécessaires pour utiliser un appareil
dans le format des Standards Ouverts, permettant l'interopérabilité des
appareils. L'incompatibilité artificielle des appareils doit être
interdite.
=== Publication du code source des pilotes, outils et interfaces ===
Les fabricants doivent permettre aux utilisateurs de remanier, remplacer
ou réparer toute partie des appareils. Cela n'est possible que si les
utilisateurs peuvent accéder à et réutiliser le code source de tous les
pilotes, outils et interfaces nécessaires pour utiliser l'appareil et
ses composants. Cela signifie que le code source des outils, pilotes et
interfaces de chaque élément matériel dans un appareil doit être publié
sous une licence de Logiciel Libre.
La FSFE et 37 organisations et entreprises européennes présentent les
demandes ci-dessus comme nécessaires pour l'utilisation et la
réutilisation durables de nos matériels. Garantir aux utilisateurs le
droit de choisir librement les systèmes d'exploitation, les logiciels et
les services leur permettra d'utiliser et de réutiliser leurs appareils
pendant plus longtemps.
Les signataires initiaux de la lettre ouverte incluent des organisations
de la société civile issues des secteurs environnemental, économique et
technologique. Plusieurs entreprises soutiennent également ces demandes,
montrant qu'une société numérique plus durable et la croissance
économique ne sont pas contradictoires. La liste de ces signataires
initiaux par ordre alphabétique est :
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. Elektronik 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.fr.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
= Anchor Free Software in the 2022 German Federal Budget! =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20220328-01.fr.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…
== 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
= Germany: 100 days of coalition agreement - hardly one day for Free Software =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2022/news-20220315-01.fr.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.
== 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 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 =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211213-01.fr.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.
La liberté dans la société de l'information a besoin de votre
contribution financière.
Devenez un 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.
En discuter [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.fr.html
3: https://my.fsfe.org/donate?referrer=https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-2021121…
4: https://fsfe.org/freesoftware/standards/index.fr.html
5: https://community.fsfe.org/t/780
== 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
= Children‘s book published about software, skateboards, and raspberry ice cream =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211129-01.fr.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].
En discuter [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
== 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
= Upcycling Android : Continuez d'utiliser votre téléphone avec des Logiciels Libres =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211125-01.fr.html ]
La FSFE lance sa nouvelle initiative "Upcycling Android": chaque fois
que nous continuons d'utiliser notre téléphone au lieu d'en acheter un
nouveau, nous soutenons une utilisation plus durable de nos ressources.
Upcycling Android aide les gens à casser l'obsolescence des logiciels et
à continuer d'utiliser leurs téléphones avec des Logiciels Libres.
C'est la Semaine européenne pour la réduction du gaspillage, une semaine
qui est dédiée à la promotion de la réutilisation de produits et
matériaux et à l'aide à la sauvegarde de ressources et à la réduction du
gaspillage dans la vie de tous les jours. La FSFE participe avec la
nouvelle initiative « Upcycling Android » [1] — une initiative pour
aider à sauvegarder les ressources en réutilisant l'un de nos appareils
les plus importants dans notre vie quotidienne : notre téléphone.
Chaque année, les fabricants produisent 1,5 milliard de téléphones dans
le monde — et malheureusement, probablement autant sont jetés après une
durée de vie de matériel généralement trop courte. La courte durée de
vie de ces téléphones découle souvent de ce que l'on appelle «
l'obsolescence des logiciels », la situation dans laquelle les
utilisateurs sont mis face au dilemme de soit acheter un nouveau
matériel soit se débrouiller avec des logiciels désuets. Les
conséquences environnementales de ces courtes durées de vie du matériel
peuvent être terribles. Pour aider les utilisateurs à vaincre ce
problème, avec Upcycling Android, nous permettons aux gens de recycler
leurs téléphones Android avec des Logiciels Libres. Chaque fois que nous
continuons d'utiliser notre téléphone actuel au lieu d'en acheter un
nouveau, nous aidons à éviter la production de nouveaux téléphones et
controns la disposition à croître du gaspillage électronique.
Upcycling Android explique le problème de l'obsolescence des logiciels
dans le monde d'Android et aide les gens à flasher leurs téléphones avec
des systèmes d'exploitation Libres [2]. Non seulement ce processus vous
offre un plus grand contrôle de votre téléphone, mais en plus il peut
vous offrir une meilleure expérience que l'utilisation de systèmes
d'exploitation propriétaires. Encore plus important : dans le cas où les
téléphones cessent de recevoir les mises à jour logicielles de la
société fabricante, passer à un système d'exploitation Libre aide à
garder votre téléphone à jour. De cette manière, vous pouvez continuer
d'utiliser votre appareil, aider l'environnement, et apprécier de
nombreux autres bénéfices. Les Logiciels Libres vous donnent le plein
contrôle de votre appareil, puisqu'il vous permet de désinstaller des
applications que vous étiez forcé de garder avant, et vous profitez
d'une protection étendue pour votre confidentialité — voilà quelques-uns
des intérêts.
=== Arrière-plan politique & produits pour informer ===
La FSFE est sérieusement engagée vers une utilisation plus durable de la
technologie avec des Logiciels Libres. Au début de l'année, nous avons
participé à la consultation de l'UE [3] sur l'« Étiquetage énergétique
des téléphones mobiles et des tablettes », et plus tard dans l'année
nous avons publié une étude [4] sur l'obsolescence des logiciels avec un
appel pour la Neutralité des appareils et le Recyclage des logiciels.
Nous avons une grande collection de produits pour informer et citer [5]
pour aider à faire passer le mot sur l'impact environnemental de nos
téléphones. Et comment aider à réduire le problème en recyclant votre
appareil Android avec des Logiciels Libres. La gamme de produits inclut
des autocollants, des infographies, des brochures, des vidéos, des
podcasts, des articles et des études.
=== Activités à venir ===
Dans les mois à venir, les activités de la FSFE dans l'initiative
Upcycling Android seront doubles : en coopération avec des groupes
locaux, nous fournissons plusieurs ateliers [6] où les personnes peuvent
se rassembler autour du sujet du recyclage des téléphones, et
expérimenter ou recevoir de l'aide pour flasher leurs téléphones. De
plus, nous regardons et nous nous engageons dans les dans les
discussions actuelles au niveau européen autour de l'Initiative pour des
produits durables (« Sustainable Products Initiative ») et l'Initiative
pour l'électronique circulaire (« Circular Electronics Initiative »).
Dans ces activités, nous comptons expliquer les intérêts des Logiciels
Libres pour une utilisation plus durable de nos produits aux preneurs de
décisions.
En discuter [7]
1: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/upcyclingandroid.fr.html#head
2: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/howtoupcycle.fr.html#head
3: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20210127-01.fr.html
4: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211015-01.fr.html
5: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/informationmaterial.fr.html#he…
6: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/workshops.fr.html#head
7: https://community.fsfe.org/t/759
== 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 - the FSFE calls for Device Neutrality =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211122-01.fr.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.
La liberté dans la société de l'information a besoin de votre
contribution financière.
== Devenez un 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. En
discuter [6]
1: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-…
2: https://fsfe.org/freesoftware/standards/index.fr.html
3: https://my.fsfe.org/donate?referrer=https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-2021112…
4: https://fsfe.org/freesoftware/sustainability/sustainability.fr.html#id-devi…
5: https://fsfe.org/freesoftware/standards/index.fr.html
6: https://community.fsfe.org/t/763
== 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