EU: Liability, Interoperable Europe Act +++ Partial Router Freedom in Greece

[press at fsfe.org]

 = EU: Liability, Interoperable Europe Act +++ Partial Router Freedom in Greece =

[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/nl/nl-202304.ru.html ]

In April’s newsletter we discuss EU proposals affecting Free Software:
the introduction of liability rules for software and the Interoperable
Europe Act. Greece secures Router Freedom but excludes fiber
connections.

 === EU: Proposed liability rules will harm Free Software ===

The EU is currently debating the introduction of liability rules for
software, including Free Software. The relevant proposals are the AI
Act, Product Liability Directive (PLD), and Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
The way they are, all proposals will harm the Free Software ecosystem
and thus the society and the economy.

We, therefore, propose a solution that will lead to more security while
safeguarding the Free Software ecosystem. Liability should be shifted to
those deploying Free Software instead of those developing Free Software
[1], and those who significantly financially benefit from this
deployment should make sure the software becomes CE-compliant.

 === The Interoperable Europe Act needs a “Free Software first” approach ===

The Interoperable Europe Act (IEA) aims to assist public administration
to share, reuse, and integrate information technology and data across
borders. Although the proposed IEA has the potential to be a game
changer in allowing the EU to guide with example in the digitalisation
path without having to reinvent the wheel, several problematic aspects
stand in the way, including the following [2]:

- *Clear rules with concrete activities and budget are missing.* There
  is clear importance of training - with a proper budget allocation -
  for civil servants on Free Software technologies, workflows, and their
  impact on transparency and trustworthy interoperable digital
  infrastructure.

- *The role of civil society is overlooked.* If the interoperability of
  digital public services is to keep the interest of people at its
  centre, their involvement and agency in such processes must guide
  these efforts.

- *There are not yet clear definitions of Free Software and Open
  Standards.* Until now, the lack of definitions and clear actions has
  led to loopholes not only in the interpretation but also in the
  implementation of previous digital initiatives.

 === Greece secures Router Freedom but excludes fiber connections ===

Routers and modems are gateways to the Internet. As with any other
digital devices, consumers should be able to choose such an important
piece of equipment. The Greek regulator, EETT, has adopted new rules
introducing Router Freedom in the country [3]. Since 2021, the FSFE has
been working with policymakers to protect the interests of end-users.
Civil society and industry organisations backed the FSFE and contributed
positively to this new law.

We regret that EETT excluded fiber networks as a default for Router
Freedom. Although end-users can require a separation of the optical
network equipment and routers, this restricts users from plugging their
fiber router directly into the network. Even so, Greek consumers are
better served by a clear framework for Router Freedom. We encourage the
regulator to make the new rules effective; freedom of terminal equipment
requires constant monitoring of internet service providers’ commercial
practices.

 === Young Hackers' Fixes ===

While reading novels and watching movies on his laptop, David thought
how convenient it would be to turn pages or pause the video with a wave
of the hand and made it happen. Andrei added clipboard functionality to
‘bemenu’, a dynamic menu program. Meet Andrei and David [4] who both
participated in the first edition of the Youth Hacking 4 Freedom
competition.

 === Women’s Day tribute ===

Thank you to everyone who is making the tech sector more inclusive! [5]
Let’s continue working together to achieve gender parity and embrace
equity. Moreover, Free Software can help close the gender gap. The use
and development of Free Software, by providing accessible digital tools,
support the process of digital transformation and provide women and
other under-represented groups with digital skills and the opportunity
to develop their own software according to their needs.

 === Ada & Zangemann book ===

Several weeks ago, Matthias Kirschner, Ada & Zangemann’s writer and FSFE
president, talked about the inspiration behind this book [6] and the
need to raise awareness about Free Software. The English version [7] is
already available in the US and it can be pre-ordered in Europe. The
book is under a Creative Commons license. Feel free to check if our
volunteers are already translating it into your native language [8]. You
can even join them!

 === Upcoming events ===

- 🇸🇪 Sweden: Join us in FOSS-North [9] on 24 and 25 April, following a
  community day on 23 April [10]. Lina Ceballos, FSFE Policy Project
  Manager, is giving a keynote talk ‘Interoperable Europe Act: A real
  game changer?' [11].

- 🇭🇷 Croatia: Lina Ceballos is giving a keynote talk ‘EU Policy topics
  the whole Free Software community should know about’ for DORS/CLUC23
  [12] that will take place in Zagreb Croatia on 11-12 May.

 == Contribute to our Newsletter ==

If you would like to share any thoughts, pictures, or news, please send
them to us. As always, the address is newsletter at fsfe.org. We're looking
forward to hearing from you! If you also want to support us and our
work, join our community and support us with a donation or a monthly
contribution [13]. Thanks to our community and all the volunteers,
supporters, and donors who make our work possible. And thanks to our
translators, who enable you to read this newsletter in your native
languages.

Your editor, Fani Partsafyllidou

Discuss this [14]

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  1: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20230323-01.ru.html
  2: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20230323-02.ru.html
  3: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20230313-01.ru.html
  4: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20230321-01.ru.html
  5: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20230308-01.ru.html
  6: https://puri.sm/posts/kyle-and-matthias/
  7: https://fsfe.org/activities/childrensbook/index.ru.html
  8: https://git.fsfe.org/FSFE/ada-zangemann/src/branch/main
  9: https://foss-north.se/2023/index.html
 10: https://foss-north.se/2023/communityday.html
 11: https://foss-north.se/2023/speakers-and-talks.html#lceballos
 12: https://www.dorscluc.org/speakers/
 13: https://my.fsfe.org/donate?referrer=newsletter
 14: https://community.fsfe.org/t/1007