msgid "Proprietary Sabotage - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><a> msgid "<a id=\"side-menu-button\" class=\"switch\" href=\"#navlinks\">" msgstr "" #. type: Attribute 'title' of: <div><a><img> msgid "Section contents" msgstr "" #. type: Attribute 'alt' of: <div><a><img> msgid " [Section contents] " msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div> msgid "</a>" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><p><a> msgid "<a href=\"/\">" msgstr "" #. type: Attribute 'title' of: <div><p><a><img> msgid "GNU Home" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><p> msgid "" "</a> / <a href=\"/proprietary/proprietary.html\">Malware</a> / By " "type /" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><h2> msgid "Proprietary Sabotage" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><p> msgid "" "Nonfree (proprietary) software is very often malware (designed to mistreat " "the user). Nonfree software is controlled by its developers, which puts them " "in a position of power over the users; <a " "href=\"/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html\">that is the " "basic injustice</a>. The developers and manufacturers often exercise that " "power to the detriment of the users they ought to serve." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><p> msgid "This typically takes the form of malicious functionalities." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><p> msgid "" "Some malicious functionalities mediate sabotage, i.e. abusive interference " "of the developer into the use of the software, with harmful consequences for " "the users. Examples of such situations are listed below." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><div><p> msgid "" "If you know of an example that ought to be in this page but isn't here, " "please write to <a " "href=\"mailto:webmasters@gnu.org\"><webmasters@gnu.org></a> to inform " "us. Please include the URL of a trustworthy reference or two to serve as " "specific substantiation." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Windows Defender <a " "href=\"https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-defender-deleted-my-download-without/0b4211cf-80f7-47c7-8ea0-675785a0003c\"> " "deletes downloaded files that it considers malware</a> as soon as they are " "saved to disk, without requesting permission to do so. Many angry users have " "complained about this unacceptable behavior over the last few years, and " "even suggested fixes, but Microsoft has ignored them. It is high time for " "Windows users to escape Microsoft's tyranny by migrating to a free/libre " "system." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Ubisoft is facing a fraud lawsuit for <a " "href=\"https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action\"> " "shutting down the proprietary video game The Crew, which was tethered to its " "servers</a>. As this game can't be played offline, people who used to think " "they owned a copy of it are now realizing they only bought a license that " "could be revoked at will by the developer." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This is one more example of what tethering of a proprietary program leads " "to. If The Crew were free software, its users would be able to set up " "another server, and keep on playing." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a href=\"/proprietary/uhd-bluray-denies-your-freedom.html\">UHD Blu-ray " "disks are loaded with malware of the worst kinds</a>. Not only does " "playback of these disks on a PC require proprietary software and hardware " "that enforce AACS, a very nasty DRM, but developers of software players are " "forbidden from disclosing any source code. The user could also lose the " "ability to play AACS-restricted disks anytime by attempting to play a new " "Blu-ray disk." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://badcyber.com/dieselgate-but-for-trains-some-heavyweight-hardware-hacking/\">Newag, " "a Polish railway manufacturer, puts DRM inside trains to prevent third-party " "repairs</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The train's software contains code to detect if the GPS coordinates are near " "some third party repairers, or the train has not been running for some " "time. If yes, the train will be “locked up” (i.e. bricked). It " "was also possible to unlock it by pressing a secret combination of buttons " "in the cockpit, but this ability was removed by a manufacturer's software " "update." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The train will also lock up after a certain date, which is hardcoded in the " "software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The company pushes a software update that detects if the DRM code has been " "bypassed, i.e. the lock should have been engaged but the train is still " "operational. If yes, the controller cabin screen will display a scary " "message warning about “copyright violation”." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20231213150111/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/technology/iphone-repair-apple-control.html\">To " "block non-Apple repairs, Apple encodes the iMonster serial number in the " "original parts</a>. This is called “parts pairing”. Swapping " "parts between working iMonsters of the same model causes malfunction or " "disabling of some functionalities. Part replacement may also trigger " "persistent alerts, unless it is done by an Apple store." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Chamberlain Group <a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/11/chamberlain-blocks-smart-garage-door-opener-from-working-with-smart-homes/\">blocks " "users from using third-party software</a> with its garage openers. This is " "an intentional attack on using free software. The official garage opener " "proprietary mobile app is now also <a " "href=\"https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/09/lead-me-not-into-temptation/#chamberlain\">infested " "with ads, including up-selling its other services and devices.</a>" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "HP delivers printers with a universal back door, and recently used it to <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/may/10/how-can-hp-block-me-from-using-a-cheaper-printer-cartridge\"> " "sabotage them by remotely installing malware</a>. The malware makes the " "printer refuse to function with non-HP ink cartrides, and even with old HP " "cartridges which HP now declares to have “expired.” HP calls the " "back door “dynamic security,” and has the gall to claim that " "this “security” protects users from malware." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "If you own an HP printer that can still use non-HP cartridges, we urge you " "to disconnect it from the internet. This will ensure that HP doesn't " "sabotage it by “updating” its software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<small>Note how the author of the Guardian article credulously repeats HP's " "assertion that the “dynamic security” feature protects users " "against malware, not recognizing that the article demonstrates it does the " "opposite.</small>" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Some Epson printers are programmed to <a " "href=\"https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/22/08/07/0350244/epson-programs-some-printers-to-stop-operating-claiming-danger-of-ink-spills\"> " "stop working after they have printed a predetermined number of pages</a>, on " "the pretext that ink pads become saturated with ink. This constitutes an " "unacceptable infringement on users' freedom to use their printers as they " "wish, and on their <a " "href=\"https://fighttorepair.substack.com/p/citing-danger-of-ink-spills-epson\"> " "right to repair them</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The nonfree software in a Tesla artificially <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jul/30/will-connected-cars-persuade-drivers-to-pay-for-a-high-spec-ride\"> " "limits the car's driving range</a>, demanding ransom to unlock the battery's " "full charge." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "This is one more reason why cars must not be “connected.”" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "ATMs and vending machines in Russia run nonfree software—The machines' " "owners <a " "href=\"https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/07/01/russian-atms-reject-new-100-ruble-bill-kommersant-a78175\"> " "cannot fix them</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "NordicTrack, a company that sells exercise machines with ability to show " "videos <a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/11/locked-out-of-god-mode-runners-are-hacking-their-treadmills/\">limits " "what people can watch, and recently disabled a feature</a> that was " "originally functional. This happened through automatic update and probably " "involved a universal back door." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Adobe <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20211014123717/https://pluralistic.net/2021/10/13/theres-an-app-for-that/#gnash\">has " "licensed its Flash Player to China's Zhong Cheng Network</a> who is offering " "the program bundled with spyware and a back door that can remotely " "deactivate it." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Adobe is responsible for this since they gave Zhong Cheng Network permission " "to do this. This injustice involves “misuse” of the DMCA, but " "“proper,” intended use of the DMCA is a much bigger injustice. " "There is <a href=\"/philosophy/right-to-read.html\">a series of errors " "related to DMCA</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "A motorcycle company named Klim is selling airbag vests with different " "payment methods, one of them is through a <a " "href=\"https://www.vice.com/en/article/93yyyd/this-motorcycle-airbag-vest-will-stop-working-if-you-miss-a-payment\">proprietary " "subscription-based option that will block the vest from inflating if the " "payments don't go through</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "They say there is a 30-days grace period if you miss a payment but the grace " "period is no excuse to the insecurity." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple has <a " "href=\"https://sneak.berlin/20201112/your-computer-isnt-yours/\">implemented " "a malware in its computers that imposes surveillance</a> on users and " "reports users' computing to Apple." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The reports are even unencrypted and they've been leaking this data for two " "years already. This malware is reporting to Apple what user opens what " "program at what time. It also gives Apple power to sabotage users' " "computing." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "A new app published by Google <a " "href=\"https://www.xda-developers.com/google-device-lock-controller-banks-payments/\">lets " "banks and creditors deactivate people's Android devices</a> if they fail to " "make payments. If someone's device gets deactivated, it will be limited to " "basic functionality, such as emergency calling and access to settings." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Samsung is forcing its smartphone users in Hong Kong (and Macau) <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20240606175013/https://blog.headuck.com/2020/10/12/samsung-phones-force-mainland-china-dns-service-upon-hong-kong-wifi-users/\">to " "use a public DNS in Mainland China</a>, using software update released in " "September 2020, which causes many unease and privacy concerns." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Oculus headsets <a " "href=\"https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/18/21372435/oculus-facebook-login-change-separate-account-support-end-quest-october\">require " "users to identify themselves to Facebook</a>. This will give Facebook free " "rein to pervasively snoop on Oculus users." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Focals eyeglass display, with snooping microphone, has been eliminated. " "Google eliminated it by buying the manufacturer and shutting it down. It " "also <a " "href=\"https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/article/canadian-smart-glasses-going-offline-weeks-after-company-bought-by-google/\">shut " "down the server these devices depend on</a>, which caused the ones already " "sold to cease to function." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "It may be a good thing to wipe out this product—for " "“smart,” read “snoop”—but Google didn't do " "that for the sake of privacy. Rather, it was eliminating competition for " "its own snooping product." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Mellow sous-vide cooker is tethered to a server. The company suddenly <a " "href=\"https://www.slashgear.com/mellow-sous-vide-owners-get-unwelcome-subscription-surprise-28630842/\"> " "turned this tethering into a subscription</a>, forbidding users from taking " "advantage of the “advanced features” of the cooker unless they " "pay a monthly fee." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "iMonsters and Android phones, when used for work, give employers powerful <a " "href=\"https://www.fastcompany.com/90440073/if-you-use-your-personal-phone-for-work-say-goodbye-to-your-privacy\"> " "snooping and sabotage capabilities</a> if they install their own software on " "the device. Many employers demand to do this. For the employee, this is " "simply nonfree software, as fundamentally unjust and as dangerous as any " "other nonfree software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Adobe has <a " "href=\"https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/software/adobe-to-ban-users-from-venezuela-due-to-us-executive-order/\"> " "cancelled the software subscriptions of all users in Venezuela</a>. This " "demonstrates how a requirement for subscription can be turned into a tool " "for sabotage." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Tesla users claim Tesla <a " "href=\"https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-battery/tesla-owner-lawsuit-claims-software-update-fraudulently-cut-battery-capacity-idUSKCN1UY2TW/\">force-installed " "software to cut down on battery range</a>, rather than replace the defective " "batteries. Tesla did this to avoid having to run their warranty." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This means that proprietary software can potentially be a way to commit " "perjury with impunity." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Best Buy made controllable appliances and <a " "href=\"https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20853671/best-buy-connect-insignia-smart-plug-wifi-freezer-mobile-app-shutdown-november-6\"> " "shut down the service to control them through</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Best Buy acknowledged that it was mistreating its customers by doing so, and " "offered reimbursement of the affected appliances. The fact remains, however, " "that tethering a device to a server is a way of restricting and harassing " "users. The nonfree software in the device is what stops users from cutting " "the tether." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "When Apple suspects a user of fraud, it judges the case secretly and " "presents the verdict as a fait accompli. The punishment to a user found " "guilty <a " "href=\"https://qz.com/1683460/what-happens-to-your-itunes-account-when-apple-says-youve-committed-fraud\">is " "being cut off for life, which more-or-less cripples the user's Apple devices " "forever</a>. There is no appeal." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Adobe <a " "href=\"https://www.vice.com/en/article/a3xk3p/adobe-tells-users-they-can-get-sued-for-using-old-versions-of-photoshop\"> " "revoked the license of some older versions</a> of its applications, and " "warned customers that they can get sued for using them." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This is further proof that users of nonfree software are in the hands of its " "developer." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Jibo robot toys were tethered to the manufacturer's server, and <a " "href=\"https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-north-america-technology-business-ap-top-news-99c9ec8ebad242ca88178e22c7642648\"> " "the company made them all cease to work</a> by shutting down that server." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The shutdown might ironically be good for their users, since the product was " "designed to manipulate people by presenting a phony semblance of emotions, " "and was most certainly spying on them." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Microsoft has been <a " "href=\"https://borncity.com/win/2019/01/17/windows-10-update-kb4023057-re-released-1-16-2019/\"> " "force-installing a “remediation” program</a> on computers " "running certain versions of Windows 10. Remediation, in Microsoft's view, " "means <a " "href=\"https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb4023057-update-health-tools-windows-update-service-components-fccad0ca-dc10-2e46-9ed1-7e392450fb3a\"> " "tampering with users' settings and files</a>, notably to " "“repair” any components of the updating system that users may " "have intentionally disabled, and thus regain full power over them. Microsoft " "repeatedly pushed faulty versions of this program to users' machines, " "causing numerous problems, some of which <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20240223182933/https://www.windowsmode.com/microsoft-suspends-windows-10-october-2018-update-rollout-due-to-critical-bugs/\"> " "critical</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This exemplifies the arrogant and manipulative attitude that proprietary " "software developers have learned to adopt toward the people they are " "supposedly serving. Migrate to a <a href=\"/distros/free-distros.html\">free " "operating system</a> if you can!" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "If your employer makes you run Windows, tell the financial department how " "this wastes your time dealing with endless connections and premature " "hardware failures." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Ebooks “bought” from Microsoft's store check that their DRM is " "valid by connecting to the store every time their “owner” wants " "to read them. Microsoft is going to close this store, <a " "href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47810367\"> bricking all DRM'ed " "ebooks it has ever “sold”</a>. (The article additionally " "highlights the pitfalls of DRM.)" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This is another proof that a DRM-encumbered product doesn't belong to the " "person who bought it. Microsoft said it will refund customers, but this is " "no excuse for selling them restricted books." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The British supermarket Tesco sold tablets which were tethered to Tesco's " "server for reinstalling default settings. Tesco <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/mar/25/tesco-hudl-tablet-support-kill-fix\"> " "turned off the server for old models</a>, so now if you try to reinstall the " "default settings, it bricks them instead." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Twenty nine “beauty camera” apps that used to be on Google Play " "had one or more malicious functionalities, such as stealing users' photos " "instead of “beautifying” them, <a " "href=\"https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/02/03/google-bans-29-beauty-camera-apps-from-the-play-store-that-steal-your-photos/\"> " "pushing unwanted and often malicious ads on users, and redirecting them to " "phishing sites</a> that stole their credentials. Furthermore, the user " "interface of most of them was designed to make uninstallation difficult." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Users should of course uninstall these dangerous apps if they haven't yet, " "but they should also stay away from nonfree apps in general. <em>All</em> " "nonfree apps carry a potential risk because there is no easy way of knowing " "what they really do." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Foundry's graphics software <a " "href=\"https://torrentfreak.com/software-company-fines-pirates-after-monitoring-their-computers-181102/\"> " "reports information to identify who is running it</a>. The result is often a " "legal threat demanding a lot of money." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The fact that this is used for repression of forbidden sharing makes it even " "more vicious." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This illustrates that making unauthorized copies of nonfree software is not " "a cure for the injustice of nonfree software. It may avoid paying for the " "nasty thing, but cannot make it less nasty." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple and Samsung deliberately <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/24/apple-samsung-fined-for-slowing-down-phones\">degrade " "the performance of older phones to force users to buy their newer " "phones</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Printer manufacturers are very innovative—at blocking the use of " "independent replacement ink cartridges. Their “security " "upgrades” occasionally impose new forms of cartridge DRM. <a " "href=\"https://www.vice.com/en/article/pa98ab/printer-makers-are-crippling-cheap-ink-cartridges-via-bogus-security-updates\"> " "HP and Epson have done this</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Jawbone fitness tracker was tethered to a proprietary phone app. In " "2017, the company shut down and made the app stop working. <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/05/defunct-jawbone-fitness-trackers-kept-selling-after-app-closure-says-which\">All " "the existing trackers stopped working forever</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The article focuses on a further nasty fillip, that sales of the broken " "devices continued. But we think that is a secondary issue; it made the nasty " "consequences extend to some additional people. The fundamental wrong was to " "design the devices to depend on something else that didn't respect users' " "freedom." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The game Metal Gear Rising for MacOS was tethered to a server. The company " "<a " "href=\"https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/400087-metal-gear-rising-mac-unplayable-drm\"> " "shut down the server, and all copies stopped working</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple has <a " "href=\"https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/31/17412396/telegram-apple-app-store-app-updates-russia\">blocked " "Telegram from upgrading its app for a month</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This evidently has to do with Russia's command to Apple to block Telegram in " "Russia." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Telegram client is free software on other platforms, but not on " "iThings. Since <a href=\"/proprietary/proprietary-jails.html#apple\">they " "are jails</a>, they don't permit any app to be free software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Logitech will sabotage all Harmony Link household control devices by <a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/11/logitech-to-shut-down-service-and-support-for-harmony-link-devices-in-2018/\"> " "turning off the server through which the products' supposed owners " "communicate with them</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The owners suspect this is to pressure them to buy a newer model. If they " "are wise, they will learn, rather, to distrust any product that requires " "users to talk with them through some specialized service." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "MacOS High Sierra forcibly reformats SSD boot drives, and <a " "href=\"https://www.macworld.com/article/230582/apple-file-system-apfs-faq.html\"> " "changes the file system from HFS+ to APFS</a>, which cannot be accessed from " "GNU/Linux, Windows or even older versions of MacOS." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Canary home surveillance camera has been sabotaged by its manufacturer, " "<a " "href=\"https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/4/16426394/canary-smart-home-camera-free-service-update-change\"> " "turning off many features unless the user starts paying for a " "subscription</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "With manufacturers like these, who needs security breakers?" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The purchasers should learn the larger lesson and reject connected " "appliances with embedded proprietary software. Every such product is a " "temptation to commit sabotage." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Tesla used software to limit customers to using just <a " "href=\"https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/09/tesla-flips-a-switch-to-increase-the-range-of-some-cars-in-florida-to-help-people-evacuate/\">part " "of the battery of some cars</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Sonos <a " "href=\"https://www.zdnet.com/article/sonos-accept-new-privacy-policy-speakers-cease-to-function/\"> " "told all its customers, “Agree” to snooping or the product will " "stop working</a>. <a " "href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/consumerist/sonos-holds-software-updates-hostage-if-you-dont-sign-new-privacy-agreement/\"> " "Another article</a> says they won't forcibly change the software, but people " "won't be able to get any upgrades and eventually it will stop working." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple will stop <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/06/iphone-ipad-apps-games-apple-5-5c-obsolete\">fixing " "bugs for older model iThings</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Meanwhile, Apple stops people from fixing problems themselves; that's the " "nature of proprietary software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Bird and rabbit pets were implemented for Second Life by a company that " "tethered their food to a server. <a " "href=\"https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/second-life-ozimals-pet-rabbits-dying\"> " "It shut down the server and the pets more or less died</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Microsoft has made Windows 7 and 8 cease to function on certain new " "computers, <a " "href=\"https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/installing-updates-features-roles/processor-not-supported-together-with-windows-version\">effectively " "forcing their owners to switch to Windows 10</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Microsoft <a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/04/new-processors-are-now-blocked-from-receiving-updates-on-old-windows/\"> " "has dropped support for Windows 7 and 8 on recent processors</a> in a big " "hurry." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "It makes no difference what legitimate reasons Microsoft might have for not " "doing work to support them. If it doesn't want to do this work, it should " "let users do the work." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Anova sabotaged users' cooking devices with a downgrade that tethered them " "to a remote server. <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20170415145520/https://consumerist.com/2017/04/12/anova-ticks-off-customers-by-requiring-mandatory-accounts-to-cook-food/\">Unless " "users create an account on Anova's servers, their cookers won't " "function</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The iPhone 7 contains DRM specifically designed to <a " "href=\"https://www.vice.com/en/article/kbjm8e/iphone-7-home-button-unreplaceable-repair-software-lock\"> " "brick it if an “unauthorized” repair shop fixes it</a>. " "“Unauthorized” essentially means anyone besides Apple." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<small>(The article uses the term “lock” to describe the DRM, " "but we prefer to use the term <a " "href=\"/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#DigitalLocks\"> digital " "handcuffs</a>.)</small>" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The developer of Ham Radio Deluxe <a " "href=\"https://www.techdirt.com/2016/12/22/software-company-shows-how-not-to-handle-negative-review/\">sabotaged " "a customer's installation as punishment for posting a negative review</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Most proprietary software companies don't use their power so harshly, but it " "is an injustice that they all <em>have</em> such power." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "HP's firmware downgrade <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/20/hp-inkjet-printers-unofficial-cartridges-software-update\">imposed " "DRM on some printers, which now refuse to function with third-party ink " "cartridges</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "In its efforts to trick users of Windows 7 and 8 into installing all-spying " "Windows 10 against their will, Microsoft forced their computers to <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/11/microsoft-downloading-windows-1\"> " "silently download… the whole of Windows 10</a>! Apparently, this was " "done through a <a " "href=\"/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#windows-update\"> universal " "back door</a>. Not only did the unwanted downloads <a " "href=\"https://www.theregister.com/2016/06/03/windows_10_upgrade_satellite_link/\"> " "jeopardize important operations in regions of the world with poor " "connectivity</a>, but many of the people who let installation proceed found " "out that this “upgrade” was in fact a <a " "href=\"https://gizmodo.com/woman-wins-10-000-from-microsoft-after-unwanted-window-1782666146\"> " "downgrade</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple <a " "href=\"https://www.theregister.com/2016/04/14/uninstall_quicktime_for_windows/\"> " "stops users from fixing the security bugs in Quicktime for Windows</a>, " "while refusing to fix them itself." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Once Microsoft has tricked a user into accepting installation of Windows 10, " "<a " "href=\"https://www.theregister.com/2016/06/01/windows_10_nagware_no_way_out/\">they " "find that they are denied the option to cancel or even postpone the imposed " "date of installation</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This demonstrates what we've said for years: using proprietary software " "means letting someone have power over you, and you're going to get screwed " "sooner or later." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Apple Music client program <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20170520213355/https://blog.vellumatlanta.com/2016/05/04/apple-stole-my-music-no-seriously/\">scans " "the user's file system for music files, copies them to an Apple server, and " "deletes them</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Revolv is a device that managed “smart home” operations: " "switching lights, operate motion sensors, regulating temperature, etc. Its " "proprietary software depends on a remote server to do these tasks. On May " "15th, 2016, Google/Alphabet <a " "href=\"https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/04/nest-reminds-customers-ownership-isnt-what-it-used-be\">intentionally " "broke it by shutting down the server</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "If it were free software, users would have the ability to make it work " "again, differently, and then have a freedom-respecting home instead of a " "“smart” home. Don't let proprietary software control your " "devices and turn them into $300 out-of-warranty bricks. Insist on " "self-contained computers that run free software!" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Electronic Arts <a " "href=\"https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/darkspore-servers-shut-down\">made " "one of its games permanently unplayable</a> by shutting down its " "servers. This game was heavily reliant on the company's servers, and because " "the software is proprietary, users can't modify it to make it connect to " "some other server. If the game were free, people could still play what they " "purchased." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "iOS version 9 for iThings <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/feb/05/error-53-apple-iphone-software-update-handset-worthless-third-party-repair\">sabotages " "them irreparably if they were repaired by someone other than " "Apple</a>. Apple eventually backed off from this policy under criticism from " "the users. However, it has not acknowledged that this was wrong." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "FTDI's proprietary driver for its USB-to-serial chips has been designed to " "<a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/10/windows-update-drivers-bricking-usb-serial-chips-beloved-of-hardware-hackers/\">sabotage " "alternative compatible chips</a> so that they no longer work. Microsoft is " "<a " "href=\"https://it.slashdot.org/story/16/01/31/1720259/ftdi-driver-breaks-hardware-again\">installing " "this automatically</a> as an “upgrade”." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Philips “smart” lightbulbs had initially been designed to " "interact with other companies' smart light bulbs, but <a " "href=\"https://www.techdirt.com/2015/12/14/lightbulb-drm-philips-locks-purchasers-out-third-party-bulbs-with-firmware-update/\"> " "later the company updated the firmware to disallow interoperability</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "If a product is “smart”, and you didn't build it, it is cleverly " "serving its manufacturer <em>against you</em>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Google has long had <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/24/google-can-unlock-android-devices-remotely-if-phone-unencrypted\">a " "back door to remotely unlock an Android device</a>, unless its disk is " "encrypted (possible since Android 5.0 Lollipop, but still not quite the " "default)." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Windows 10 “upgrades” <a " "href=\"http://www.ghacks.net/2015/11/24/beware-latest-windows-10-update-may-remove-programs-automatically/\"> " "delete applications</a> without asking permission." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple forced millions of iThings to <a " "href=\"https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7256669?tstart=0\">download a " "system upgrade without asking the users</a>. Apple did not forcibly install " "the upgrade but the downloading alone caused lots of trouble." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://www.computerworld.com/article/2984889/lenovo-collects-usage-data-on-thinkpad-thinkcentre-and-thinkstation-pcs.html\"> " "Lenovo stealthily installed crapware and spyware via BIOS</a> on Windows " "installs. Note that the specific sabotage method Lenovo used did not affect " "GNU/Linux; also, a “clean” Windows install is not really clean " "since <a href=\"/proprietary/malware-microsoft.html\">Microsoft puts in its " "own malware</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Vizio <a " "href=\"https://boingboing.net/2015/04/30/telescreen-watch-vizio-adds-s.html\"> " "used a firmware “upgrade” to make its TVs snoop on what users " "watch</a>. The TVs did not do that when first sold." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Mac OS X had an <a " "href=\"https://truesecdev.wordpress.com/2015/04/09/hidden-backdoor-api-to-root-privileges-in-apple-os-x/\"> " "intentional local back door for 4 years</a>, which could be exploited by " "attackers to gain root privileges." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20191205010621/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3423768/windows-xp--end-of-an-era--end-of-an-error.html\">Microsoft " "cut off security fixes for Windows XP, except to some big users that pay " "exorbitantly</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Microsoft is going to <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20181030194725/https://www.computerworlduk.com/applications/more-than-half-of-all-ie-users-face-patch-axe-in-10-months-3605515/\"> " "cut off support for some Internet Explorer versions</a> in the same way." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "A person or company has the right to cease to work on a particular program; " "the wrong here is Microsoft does this after having made the users dependent " "on Microsoft, because they are not free to ask anyone else to work on the " "program for them." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Amazon <a " "href=\"https://www.techdirt.com/2015/03/24/while-bricking-jailbroken-fire-tvs-last-year-amazon-did-same-to-kindle-devices/\"> " "downgraded the software in users' Swindles</a> so that those already rooted " "would cease to function at all." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/dec/04/apple-deleted-music-ipods-rivals-steve-jobs\"> " "deleted from iPods the music that users had got from internet music stores " "that competed with iTunes</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/10/nintendo-updates-take-wii-u-hostage-until-you-agree-new-legal-terms\">Nintendo " "remotely sabotaged the Wii U, making it refuse to work unless the user " "agrees to a new EULA</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "We can be quite sure this EULA is unjust because injustice is the only " "motive for imposing an EULA." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "LG <a " "href=\"https://www.techdirt.com/2014/05/20/lg-will-take-smart-out-your-smart-tv-if-you-dont-agree-to-share-your-viewing-search-data-with-third-parties/\"> " "disabled network features</a> on <em>previously purchased</em> " "“smart” TVs, unless the purchasers agreed to let LG begin to " "snoop on them and distribute their personal data." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Some proprietary <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/19/apple-talking-cats-in-app-purchases\"> " "games lure children to spend their parents' money</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/nsa-gchq-encryption-codes-security\">The " "NSA has put back doors into nonfree encryption software</a>. We don't know " "which ones they are, but we can be sure they include some widely used " "systems. This reinforces the point that you can never trust the security of " "nonfree software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20130622044225/http://blogs.computerworlduk.com/open-enterprise/2013/06/how-can-any-company-ever-trust-microsoft-again/index.htm\">Microsoft " "informs the NSA of bugs in Windows before fixing them</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Adobe applications have time bombs: they <a " "href=\"https://techcrunch.com/2013/05/06/adobe-goes-all-in-with-subscription-based-creative-cloud-will-stop-selling-regular-cs-licenses-shrink-wrapped-boxes/\"> " "stop working after a certain time</a>, after which the user must pay to " "extend the time." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Once there was a problem with the servers that these programs use to check " "who has paid, and <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20150120010845/http://www.macuser.co.uk/9015-adobe-creative-cloud-outage-leaves-adobe-users-locked-out\"> " "the applications refused to work for anyone</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Oracle's nonfree Java plug-in for browsers <a " "href=\"https://www.zdnet.com/article/a-close-look-at-how-oracle-installs-deceptive-software-with-java-updates/\">sneakily " "installs other annoying proprietary software</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "That article disregards all other bad things about proprietary software. " "For instance, it regards the inclusion of proprietary Flash Player (which " "has a <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20200808151607/http://www.imasuper.com/2008/10/09/flash-cookies-the-silent-privacy-killer/\">surveillance " "feature</a> and DRM) in Chrome as a good thing. Chrome is a proprietary " "browser with a universal back door." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "We don't agree with the article's views on those issues, but we present it " "as a factual reference." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "In 2014, <a " "href=\"https://www.computerworld.com/article/2715615/oracle-will-continue-to-bundle--crapware--with-java.html\"> " "Oracle insisted on continuing this practice</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Sony <a " "href=\"https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/03/sony-steals-feature-from-your-playstation-3\">sabotaged " "the Playstation 3</a> with a firmware downgrade that removed the feature " "that allowed users to run GNU/Linux on it." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Sony subsequently sent police after Geohot, after he cracked the code that " "blocked users from changing the firmware, and we responded by calling for a " "<a href=\"http://boycottsony.org\">boycott of Sony</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "In a court settlement Sony is <a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/06/if-you-used-to-run-linux-on-your-ps3-you-could-get-55-from-sony/\"> " "now paying for the sabotage</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20230315024447/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2541250/update--apple-plays-hardball--upgrade--bricks--unlocked-iphones.html\"> " "An Apple firmware “upgrade” bricked iPhones that had been " "unlocked</a>. The “upgrade” also deactivated applications not " "approved by <a href=\"/proprietary/proprietary-jails.html\">Apple " "censorship</a>. All this was apparently intentional." msgstr "" #. TRANSLATORS: Use space (SPC) as msgstr if you don't have notes. #. type: Content of: <div><div> msgid "*GNUN-SLOT: TRANSLATOR'S NOTES*" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><p> msgid "" "Please send general FSF & GNU inquiries to <a " "href=\"mailto:gnu@gnu.org\"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. There are also <a " "href=\"/contact/\">other ways to contact</a> the FSF. Broken links and " "other corrections or suggestions can be sent to <a " "href=\"mailto:webmasters@gnu.org\"><webmasters@gnu.org></a>." msgstr "" #. TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph, #. replace it with the translation of these two: # #. We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality #. translations. However, we are not exempt from imperfection. #. Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard #. to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org"> # #. <web-translators@gnu.org></a>.</p> # #. <p>For information on coordinating and contributing translations of #. our web pages, see <a #. href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations #. README</a>. #. type: Content of: <div><div><p> msgid "" "Please see the <a " "href=\"/server/standards/README.translations.html\">Translations README</a> " "for information on coordinating and contributing translations of this " "article." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><p> msgid "Copyright © 2013, 2015-2025 Free Software Foundation, Inc." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><p> msgid "" "This page is licensed under a <a rel=\"license\" " "href=\"http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\">Creative Commons " "Attribution 4.0 International License</a>." msgstr "" #. TRANSLATORS: Use space (SPC) as msgstr if you don't want credits. #. type: Content of: <div><div> msgid "*GNUN-SLOT: TRANSLATOR'S CREDITS*" msgstr "" #. timestamp start #. type: Content of: <div><p> msgid "Updated:" msgstr ""

# LANGUAGE translation of https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-sabotage.html # Copyright (C) YEAR Free Software Foundation, Inc. # This file is distributed under the same license as the original article. # FIRST AUTHOR , YEAR. # #, fuzzy msgid "" msgstr "" "Project-Id-Version: proprietary-sabotage.html\n" "POT-Creation-Date: 2025-03-07 12:27+0000\n" "PO-Revision-Date: YEAR-MO-DA HO:MI+ZONE\n" "Last-Translator: FULL NAME \n" "Language-Team: LANGUAGE \n" "Language: \n" "MIME-Version: 1.0\n" "Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8\n" "Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit\n" #. type: Content of: msgid "Proprietary Sabotage - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><a> msgid "<a id=\"side-menu-button\" class=\"switch\" href=\"#navlinks\">" msgstr "" #. type: Attribute 'title' of: <div><a><img> msgid "Section contents" msgstr "" #. type: Attribute 'alt' of: <div><a><img> msgid " [Section contents] " msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div> msgid "</a>" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><p><a> msgid "<a href=\"/\">" msgstr "" #. type: Attribute 'title' of: <div><p><a><img> msgid "GNU Home" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><p> msgid "" "</a> / <a href=\"/proprietary/proprietary.html\">Malware</a> / By " "type /" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><h2> msgid "Proprietary Sabotage" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><p> msgid "" "Nonfree (proprietary) software is very often malware (designed to mistreat " "the user). Nonfree software is controlled by its developers, which puts them " "in a position of power over the users; <a " "href=\"/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html\">that is the " "basic injustice</a>. The developers and manufacturers often exercise that " "power to the detriment of the users they ought to serve." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><p> msgid "This typically takes the form of malicious functionalities." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><p> msgid "" "Some malicious functionalities mediate sabotage, i.e. abusive interference " "of the developer into the use of the software, with harmful consequences for " "the users. Examples of such situations are listed below." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><div><p> msgid "" "If you know of an example that ought to be in this page but isn't here, " "please write to <a " "href=\"mailto:webmasters@gnu.org\"><webmasters@gnu.org></a> to inform " "us. Please include the URL of a trustworthy reference or two to serve as " "specific substantiation." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Windows Defender <a " "href=\"https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-defender-deleted-my-download-without/0b4211cf-80f7-47c7-8ea0-675785a0003c\"> " "deletes downloaded files that it considers malware</a> as soon as they are " "saved to disk, without requesting permission to do so. Many angry users have " "complained about this unacceptable behavior over the last few years, and " "even suggested fixes, but Microsoft has ignored them. It is high time for " "Windows users to escape Microsoft's tyranny by migrating to a free/libre " "system." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Ubisoft is facing a fraud lawsuit for <a " "href=\"https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action\"> " "shutting down the proprietary video game The Crew, which was tethered to its " "servers</a>. As this game can't be played offline, people who used to think " "they owned a copy of it are now realizing they only bought a license that " "could be revoked at will by the developer." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This is one more example of what tethering of a proprietary program leads " "to. If The Crew were free software, its users would be able to set up " "another server, and keep on playing." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a href=\"/proprietary/uhd-bluray-denies-your-freedom.html\">UHD Blu-ray " "disks are loaded with malware of the worst kinds</a>. Not only does " "playback of these disks on a PC require proprietary software and hardware " "that enforce AACS, a very nasty DRM, but developers of software players are " "forbidden from disclosing any source code. The user could also lose the " "ability to play AACS-restricted disks anytime by attempting to play a new " "Blu-ray disk." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://badcyber.com/dieselgate-but-for-trains-some-heavyweight-hardware-hacking/\">Newag, " "a Polish railway manufacturer, puts DRM inside trains to prevent third-party " "repairs</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The train's software contains code to detect if the GPS coordinates are near " "some third party repairers, or the train has not been running for some " "time. If yes, the train will be “locked up” (i.e. bricked). It " "was also possible to unlock it by pressing a secret combination of buttons " "in the cockpit, but this ability was removed by a manufacturer's software " "update." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The train will also lock up after a certain date, which is hardcoded in the " "software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The company pushes a software update that detects if the DRM code has been " "bypassed, i.e. the lock should have been engaged but the train is still " "operational. If yes, the controller cabin screen will display a scary " "message warning about “copyright violation”." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20231213150111/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/technology/iphone-repair-apple-control.html\">To " "block non-Apple repairs, Apple encodes the iMonster serial number in the " "original parts</a>. This is called “parts pairing”. Swapping " "parts between working iMonsters of the same model causes malfunction or " "disabling of some functionalities. Part replacement may also trigger " "persistent alerts, unless it is done by an Apple store." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Chamberlain Group <a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/11/chamberlain-blocks-smart-garage-door-opener-from-working-with-smart-homes/\">blocks " "users from using third-party software</a> with its garage openers. This is " "an intentional attack on using free software. The official garage opener " "proprietary mobile app is now also <a " "href=\"https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/09/lead-me-not-into-temptation/#chamberlain\">infested " "with ads, including up-selling its other services and devices.</a>" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "HP delivers printers with a universal back door, and recently used it to <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/may/10/how-can-hp-block-me-from-using-a-cheaper-printer-cartridge\"> " "sabotage them by remotely installing malware</a>. The malware makes the " "printer refuse to function with non-HP ink cartrides, and even with old HP " "cartridges which HP now declares to have “expired.” HP calls the " "back door “dynamic security,” and has the gall to claim that " "this “security” protects users from malware." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "If you own an HP printer that can still use non-HP cartridges, we urge you " "to disconnect it from the internet. This will ensure that HP doesn't " "sabotage it by “updating” its software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<small>Note how the author of the Guardian article credulously repeats HP's " "assertion that the “dynamic security” feature protects users " "against malware, not recognizing that the article demonstrates it does the " "opposite.</small>" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Some Epson printers are programmed to <a " "href=\"https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/22/08/07/0350244/epson-programs-some-printers-to-stop-operating-claiming-danger-of-ink-spills\"> " "stop working after they have printed a predetermined number of pages</a>, on " "the pretext that ink pads become saturated with ink. This constitutes an " "unacceptable infringement on users' freedom to use their printers as they " "wish, and on their <a " "href=\"https://fighttorepair.substack.com/p/citing-danger-of-ink-spills-epson\"> " "right to repair them</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The nonfree software in a Tesla artificially <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jul/30/will-connected-cars-persuade-drivers-to-pay-for-a-high-spec-ride\"> " "limits the car's driving range</a>, demanding ransom to unlock the battery's " "full charge." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "This is one more reason why cars must not be “connected.”" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "ATMs and vending machines in Russia run nonfree software—The machines' " "owners <a " "href=\"https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/07/01/russian-atms-reject-new-100-ruble-bill-kommersant-a78175\"> " "cannot fix them</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "NordicTrack, a company that sells exercise machines with ability to show " "videos <a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/11/locked-out-of-god-mode-runners-are-hacking-their-treadmills/\">limits " "what people can watch, and recently disabled a feature</a> that was " "originally functional. This happened through automatic update and probably " "involved a universal back door." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Adobe <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20211014123717/https://pluralistic.net/2021/10/13/theres-an-app-for-that/#gnash\">has " "licensed its Flash Player to China's Zhong Cheng Network</a> who is offering " "the program bundled with spyware and a back door that can remotely " "deactivate it." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Adobe is responsible for this since they gave Zhong Cheng Network permission " "to do this. This injustice involves “misuse” of the DMCA, but " "“proper,” intended use of the DMCA is a much bigger injustice. " "There is <a href=\"/philosophy/right-to-read.html\">a series of errors " "related to DMCA</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "A motorcycle company named Klim is selling airbag vests with different " "payment methods, one of them is through a <a " "href=\"https://www.vice.com/en/article/93yyyd/this-motorcycle-airbag-vest-will-stop-working-if-you-miss-a-payment\">proprietary " "subscription-based option that will block the vest from inflating if the " "payments don't go through</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "They say there is a 30-days grace period if you miss a payment but the grace " "period is no excuse to the insecurity." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple has <a " "href=\"https://sneak.berlin/20201112/your-computer-isnt-yours/\">implemented " "a malware in its computers that imposes surveillance</a> on users and " "reports users' computing to Apple." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The reports are even unencrypted and they've been leaking this data for two " "years already. This malware is reporting to Apple what user opens what " "program at what time. It also gives Apple power to sabotage users' " "computing." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "A new app published by Google <a " "href=\"https://www.xda-developers.com/google-device-lock-controller-banks-payments/\">lets " "banks and creditors deactivate people's Android devices</a> if they fail to " "make payments. If someone's device gets deactivated, it will be limited to " "basic functionality, such as emergency calling and access to settings." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Samsung is forcing its smartphone users in Hong Kong (and Macau) <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20240606175013/https://blog.headuck.com/2020/10/12/samsung-phones-force-mainland-china-dns-service-upon-hong-kong-wifi-users/\">to " "use a public DNS in Mainland China</a>, using software update released in " "September 2020, which causes many unease and privacy concerns." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Oculus headsets <a " "href=\"https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/18/21372435/oculus-facebook-login-change-separate-account-support-end-quest-october\">require " "users to identify themselves to Facebook</a>. This will give Facebook free " "rein to pervasively snoop on Oculus users." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Focals eyeglass display, with snooping microphone, has been eliminated. " "Google eliminated it by buying the manufacturer and shutting it down. It " "also <a " "href=\"https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/article/canadian-smart-glasses-going-offline-weeks-after-company-bought-by-google/\">shut " "down the server these devices depend on</a>, which caused the ones already " "sold to cease to function." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "It may be a good thing to wipe out this product—for " "“smart,” read “snoop”—but Google didn't do " "that for the sake of privacy. Rather, it was eliminating competition for " "its own snooping product." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Mellow sous-vide cooker is tethered to a server. The company suddenly <a " "href=\"https://www.slashgear.com/mellow-sous-vide-owners-get-unwelcome-subscription-surprise-28630842/\"> " "turned this tethering into a subscription</a>, forbidding users from taking " "advantage of the “advanced features” of the cooker unless they " "pay a monthly fee." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "iMonsters and Android phones, when used for work, give employers powerful <a " "href=\"https://www.fastcompany.com/90440073/if-you-use-your-personal-phone-for-work-say-goodbye-to-your-privacy\"> " "snooping and sabotage capabilities</a> if they install their own software on " "the device. Many employers demand to do this. For the employee, this is " "simply nonfree software, as fundamentally unjust and as dangerous as any " "other nonfree software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Adobe has <a " "href=\"https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/software/adobe-to-ban-users-from-venezuela-due-to-us-executive-order/\"> " "cancelled the software subscriptions of all users in Venezuela</a>. This " "demonstrates how a requirement for subscription can be turned into a tool " "for sabotage." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Tesla users claim Tesla <a " "href=\"https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-battery/tesla-owner-lawsuit-claims-software-update-fraudulently-cut-battery-capacity-idUSKCN1UY2TW/\">force-installed " "software to cut down on battery range</a>, rather than replace the defective " "batteries. Tesla did this to avoid having to run their warranty." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This means that proprietary software can potentially be a way to commit " "perjury with impunity." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Best Buy made controllable appliances and <a " "href=\"https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20853671/best-buy-connect-insignia-smart-plug-wifi-freezer-mobile-app-shutdown-november-6\"> " "shut down the service to control them through</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Best Buy acknowledged that it was mistreating its customers by doing so, and " "offered reimbursement of the affected appliances. The fact remains, however, " "that tethering a device to a server is a way of restricting and harassing " "users. The nonfree software in the device is what stops users from cutting " "the tether." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "When Apple suspects a user of fraud, it judges the case secretly and " "presents the verdict as a fait accompli. The punishment to a user found " "guilty <a " "href=\"https://qz.com/1683460/what-happens-to-your-itunes-account-when-apple-says-youve-committed-fraud\">is " "being cut off for life, which more-or-less cripples the user's Apple devices " "forever</a>. There is no appeal." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Adobe <a " "href=\"https://www.vice.com/en/article/a3xk3p/adobe-tells-users-they-can-get-sued-for-using-old-versions-of-photoshop\"> " "revoked the license of some older versions</a> of its applications, and " "warned customers that they can get sued for using them." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This is further proof that users of nonfree software are in the hands of its " "developer." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Jibo robot toys were tethered to the manufacturer's server, and <a " "href=\"https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-north-america-technology-business-ap-top-news-99c9ec8ebad242ca88178e22c7642648\"> " "the company made them all cease to work</a> by shutting down that server." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The shutdown might ironically be good for their users, since the product was " "designed to manipulate people by presenting a phony semblance of emotions, " "and was most certainly spying on them." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Microsoft has been <a " "href=\"https://borncity.com/win/2019/01/17/windows-10-update-kb4023057-re-released-1-16-2019/\"> " "force-installing a “remediation” program</a> on computers " "running certain versions of Windows 10. Remediation, in Microsoft's view, " "means <a " "href=\"https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb4023057-update-health-tools-windows-update-service-components-fccad0ca-dc10-2e46-9ed1-7e392450fb3a\"> " "tampering with users' settings and files</a>, notably to " "“repair” any components of the updating system that users may " "have intentionally disabled, and thus regain full power over them. Microsoft " "repeatedly pushed faulty versions of this program to users' machines, " "causing numerous problems, some of which <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20240223182933/https://www.windowsmode.com/microsoft-suspends-windows-10-october-2018-update-rollout-due-to-critical-bugs/\"> " "critical</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This exemplifies the arrogant and manipulative attitude that proprietary " "software developers have learned to adopt toward the people they are " "supposedly serving. Migrate to a <a href=\"/distros/free-distros.html\">free " "operating system</a> if you can!" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "If your employer makes you run Windows, tell the financial department how " "this wastes your time dealing with endless connections and premature " "hardware failures." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Ebooks “bought” from Microsoft's store check that their DRM is " "valid by connecting to the store every time their “owner” wants " "to read them. Microsoft is going to close this store, <a " "href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47810367\"> bricking all DRM'ed " "ebooks it has ever “sold”</a>. (The article additionally " "highlights the pitfalls of DRM.)" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This is another proof that a DRM-encumbered product doesn't belong to the " "person who bought it. Microsoft said it will refund customers, but this is " "no excuse for selling them restricted books." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The British supermarket Tesco sold tablets which were tethered to Tesco's " "server for reinstalling default settings. Tesco <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/mar/25/tesco-hudl-tablet-support-kill-fix\"> " "turned off the server for old models</a>, so now if you try to reinstall the " "default settings, it bricks them instead." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Twenty nine “beauty camera” apps that used to be on Google Play " "had one or more malicious functionalities, such as stealing users' photos " "instead of “beautifying” them, <a " "href=\"https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/02/03/google-bans-29-beauty-camera-apps-from-the-play-store-that-steal-your-photos/\"> " "pushing unwanted and often malicious ads on users, and redirecting them to " "phishing sites</a> that stole their credentials. Furthermore, the user " "interface of most of them was designed to make uninstallation difficult." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Users should of course uninstall these dangerous apps if they haven't yet, " "but they should also stay away from nonfree apps in general. <em>All</em> " "nonfree apps carry a potential risk because there is no easy way of knowing " "what they really do." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Foundry's graphics software <a " "href=\"https://torrentfreak.com/software-company-fines-pirates-after-monitoring-their-computers-181102/\"> " "reports information to identify who is running it</a>. The result is often a " "legal threat demanding a lot of money." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The fact that this is used for repression of forbidden sharing makes it even " "more vicious." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This illustrates that making unauthorized copies of nonfree software is not " "a cure for the injustice of nonfree software. It may avoid paying for the " "nasty thing, but cannot make it less nasty." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple and Samsung deliberately <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/24/apple-samsung-fined-for-slowing-down-phones\">degrade " "the performance of older phones to force users to buy their newer " "phones</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Printer manufacturers are very innovative—at blocking the use of " "independent replacement ink cartridges. Their “security " "upgrades” occasionally impose new forms of cartridge DRM. <a " "href=\"https://www.vice.com/en/article/pa98ab/printer-makers-are-crippling-cheap-ink-cartridges-via-bogus-security-updates\"> " "HP and Epson have done this</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Jawbone fitness tracker was tethered to a proprietary phone app. In " "2017, the company shut down and made the app stop working. <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/05/defunct-jawbone-fitness-trackers-kept-selling-after-app-closure-says-which\">All " "the existing trackers stopped working forever</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The article focuses on a further nasty fillip, that sales of the broken " "devices continued. But we think that is a secondary issue; it made the nasty " "consequences extend to some additional people. The fundamental wrong was to " "design the devices to depend on something else that didn't respect users' " "freedom." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The game Metal Gear Rising for MacOS was tethered to a server. The company " "<a " "href=\"https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/400087-metal-gear-rising-mac-unplayable-drm\"> " "shut down the server, and all copies stopped working</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple has <a " "href=\"https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/31/17412396/telegram-apple-app-store-app-updates-russia\">blocked " "Telegram from upgrading its app for a month</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This evidently has to do with Russia's command to Apple to block Telegram in " "Russia." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Telegram client is free software on other platforms, but not on " "iThings. Since <a href=\"/proprietary/proprietary-jails.html#apple\">they " "are jails</a>, they don't permit any app to be free software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Logitech will sabotage all Harmony Link household control devices by <a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/11/logitech-to-shut-down-service-and-support-for-harmony-link-devices-in-2018/\"> " "turning off the server through which the products' supposed owners " "communicate with them</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The owners suspect this is to pressure them to buy a newer model. If they " "are wise, they will learn, rather, to distrust any product that requires " "users to talk with them through some specialized service." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "MacOS High Sierra forcibly reformats SSD boot drives, and <a " "href=\"https://www.macworld.com/article/230582/apple-file-system-apfs-faq.html\"> " "changes the file system from HFS+ to APFS</a>, which cannot be accessed from " "GNU/Linux, Windows or even older versions of MacOS." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Canary home surveillance camera has been sabotaged by its manufacturer, " "<a " "href=\"https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/4/16426394/canary-smart-home-camera-free-service-update-change\"> " "turning off many features unless the user starts paying for a " "subscription</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "With manufacturers like these, who needs security breakers?" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The purchasers should learn the larger lesson and reject connected " "appliances with embedded proprietary software. Every such product is a " "temptation to commit sabotage." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Tesla used software to limit customers to using just <a " "href=\"https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/09/tesla-flips-a-switch-to-increase-the-range-of-some-cars-in-florida-to-help-people-evacuate/\">part " "of the battery of some cars</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Sonos <a " "href=\"https://www.zdnet.com/article/sonos-accept-new-privacy-policy-speakers-cease-to-function/\"> " "told all its customers, “Agree” to snooping or the product will " "stop working</a>. <a " "href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/consumerist/sonos-holds-software-updates-hostage-if-you-dont-sign-new-privacy-agreement/\"> " "Another article</a> says they won't forcibly change the software, but people " "won't be able to get any upgrades and eventually it will stop working." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple will stop <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/06/iphone-ipad-apps-games-apple-5-5c-obsolete\">fixing " "bugs for older model iThings</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Meanwhile, Apple stops people from fixing problems themselves; that's the " "nature of proprietary software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Bird and rabbit pets were implemented for Second Life by a company that " "tethered their food to a server. <a " "href=\"https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/second-life-ozimals-pet-rabbits-dying\"> " "It shut down the server and the pets more or less died</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Microsoft has made Windows 7 and 8 cease to function on certain new " "computers, <a " "href=\"https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/installing-updates-features-roles/processor-not-supported-together-with-windows-version\">effectively " "forcing their owners to switch to Windows 10</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Microsoft <a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/04/new-processors-are-now-blocked-from-receiving-updates-on-old-windows/\"> " "has dropped support for Windows 7 and 8 on recent processors</a> in a big " "hurry." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "It makes no difference what legitimate reasons Microsoft might have for not " "doing work to support them. If it doesn't want to do this work, it should " "let users do the work." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Anova sabotaged users' cooking devices with a downgrade that tethered them " "to a remote server. <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20170415145520/https://consumerist.com/2017/04/12/anova-ticks-off-customers-by-requiring-mandatory-accounts-to-cook-food/\">Unless " "users create an account on Anova's servers, their cookers won't " "function</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The iPhone 7 contains DRM specifically designed to <a " "href=\"https://www.vice.com/en/article/kbjm8e/iphone-7-home-button-unreplaceable-repair-software-lock\"> " "brick it if an “unauthorized” repair shop fixes it</a>. " "“Unauthorized” essentially means anyone besides Apple." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<small>(The article uses the term “lock” to describe the DRM, " "but we prefer to use the term <a " "href=\"/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#DigitalLocks\"> digital " "handcuffs</a>.)</small>" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The developer of Ham Radio Deluxe <a " "href=\"https://www.techdirt.com/2016/12/22/software-company-shows-how-not-to-handle-negative-review/\">sabotaged " "a customer's installation as punishment for posting a negative review</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Most proprietary software companies don't use their power so harshly, but it " "is an injustice that they all <em>have</em> such power." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "HP's firmware downgrade <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/20/hp-inkjet-printers-unofficial-cartridges-software-update\">imposed " "DRM on some printers, which now refuse to function with third-party ink " "cartridges</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "In its efforts to trick users of Windows 7 and 8 into installing all-spying " "Windows 10 against their will, Microsoft forced their computers to <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/11/microsoft-downloading-windows-1\"> " "silently download… the whole of Windows 10</a>! Apparently, this was " "done through a <a " "href=\"/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#windows-update\"> universal " "back door</a>. Not only did the unwanted downloads <a " "href=\"https://www.theregister.com/2016/06/03/windows_10_upgrade_satellite_link/\"> " "jeopardize important operations in regions of the world with poor " "connectivity</a>, but many of the people who let installation proceed found " "out that this “upgrade” was in fact a <a " "href=\"https://gizmodo.com/woman-wins-10-000-from-microsoft-after-unwanted-window-1782666146\"> " "downgrade</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple <a " "href=\"https://www.theregister.com/2016/04/14/uninstall_quicktime_for_windows/\"> " "stops users from fixing the security bugs in Quicktime for Windows</a>, " "while refusing to fix them itself." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Once Microsoft has tricked a user into accepting installation of Windows 10, " "<a " "href=\"https://www.theregister.com/2016/06/01/windows_10_nagware_no_way_out/\">they " "find that they are denied the option to cancel or even postpone the imposed " "date of installation</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "This demonstrates what we've said for years: using proprietary software " "means letting someone have power over you, and you're going to get screwed " "sooner or later." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "The Apple Music client program <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20170520213355/https://blog.vellumatlanta.com/2016/05/04/apple-stole-my-music-no-seriously/\">scans " "the user's file system for music files, copies them to an Apple server, and " "deletes them</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Revolv is a device that managed “smart home” operations: " "switching lights, operate motion sensors, regulating temperature, etc. Its " "proprietary software depends on a remote server to do these tasks. On May " "15th, 2016, Google/Alphabet <a " "href=\"https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/04/nest-reminds-customers-ownership-isnt-what-it-used-be\">intentionally " "broke it by shutting down the server</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "If it were free software, users would have the ability to make it work " "again, differently, and then have a freedom-respecting home instead of a " "“smart” home. Don't let proprietary software control your " "devices and turn them into $300 out-of-warranty bricks. Insist on " "self-contained computers that run free software!" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Electronic Arts <a " "href=\"https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/darkspore-servers-shut-down\">made " "one of its games permanently unplayable</a> by shutting down its " "servers. This game was heavily reliant on the company's servers, and because " "the software is proprietary, users can't modify it to make it connect to " "some other server. If the game were free, people could still play what they " "purchased." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "iOS version 9 for iThings <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/feb/05/error-53-apple-iphone-software-update-handset-worthless-third-party-repair\">sabotages " "them irreparably if they were repaired by someone other than " "Apple</a>. Apple eventually backed off from this policy under criticism from " "the users. However, it has not acknowledged that this was wrong." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "FTDI's proprietary driver for its USB-to-serial chips has been designed to " "<a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/10/windows-update-drivers-bricking-usb-serial-chips-beloved-of-hardware-hackers/\">sabotage " "alternative compatible chips</a> so that they no longer work. Microsoft is " "<a " "href=\"https://it.slashdot.org/story/16/01/31/1720259/ftdi-driver-breaks-hardware-again\">installing " "this automatically</a> as an “upgrade”." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Philips “smart” lightbulbs had initially been designed to " "interact with other companies' smart light bulbs, but <a " "href=\"https://www.techdirt.com/2015/12/14/lightbulb-drm-philips-locks-purchasers-out-third-party-bulbs-with-firmware-update/\"> " "later the company updated the firmware to disallow interoperability</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "If a product is “smart”, and you didn't build it, it is cleverly " "serving its manufacturer <em>against you</em>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Google has long had <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/24/google-can-unlock-android-devices-remotely-if-phone-unencrypted\">a " "back door to remotely unlock an Android device</a>, unless its disk is " "encrypted (possible since Android 5.0 Lollipop, but still not quite the " "default)." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Windows 10 “upgrades” <a " "href=\"http://www.ghacks.net/2015/11/24/beware-latest-windows-10-update-may-remove-programs-automatically/\"> " "delete applications</a> without asking permission." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple forced millions of iThings to <a " "href=\"https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7256669?tstart=0\">download a " "system upgrade without asking the users</a>. Apple did not forcibly install " "the upgrade but the downloading alone caused lots of trouble." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://www.computerworld.com/article/2984889/lenovo-collects-usage-data-on-thinkpad-thinkcentre-and-thinkstation-pcs.html\"> " "Lenovo stealthily installed crapware and spyware via BIOS</a> on Windows " "installs. Note that the specific sabotage method Lenovo used did not affect " "GNU/Linux; also, a “clean” Windows install is not really clean " "since <a href=\"/proprietary/malware-microsoft.html\">Microsoft puts in its " "own malware</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Vizio <a " "href=\"https://boingboing.net/2015/04/30/telescreen-watch-vizio-adds-s.html\"> " "used a firmware “upgrade” to make its TVs snoop on what users " "watch</a>. The TVs did not do that when first sold." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Mac OS X had an <a " "href=\"https://truesecdev.wordpress.com/2015/04/09/hidden-backdoor-api-to-root-privileges-in-apple-os-x/\"> " "intentional local back door for 4 years</a>, which could be exploited by " "attackers to gain root privileges." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20191205010621/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3423768/windows-xp--end-of-an-era--end-of-an-error.html\">Microsoft " "cut off security fixes for Windows XP, except to some big users that pay " "exorbitantly</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Microsoft is going to <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20181030194725/https://www.computerworlduk.com/applications/more-than-half-of-all-ie-users-face-patch-axe-in-10-months-3605515/\"> " "cut off support for some Internet Explorer versions</a> in the same way." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "A person or company has the right to cease to work on a particular program; " "the wrong here is Microsoft does this after having made the users dependent " "on Microsoft, because they are not free to ask anyone else to work on the " "program for them." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Amazon <a " "href=\"https://www.techdirt.com/2015/03/24/while-bricking-jailbroken-fire-tvs-last-year-amazon-did-same-to-kindle-devices/\"> " "downgraded the software in users' Swindles</a> so that those already rooted " "would cease to function at all." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Apple <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/dec/04/apple-deleted-music-ipods-rivals-steve-jobs\"> " "deleted from iPods the music that users had got from internet music stores " "that competed with iTunes</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/10/nintendo-updates-take-wii-u-hostage-until-you-agree-new-legal-terms\">Nintendo " "remotely sabotaged the Wii U, making it refuse to work unless the user " "agrees to a new EULA</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "We can be quite sure this EULA is unjust because injustice is the only " "motive for imposing an EULA." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "LG <a " "href=\"https://www.techdirt.com/2014/05/20/lg-will-take-smart-out-your-smart-tv-if-you-dont-agree-to-share-your-viewing-search-data-with-third-parties/\"> " "disabled network features</a> on <em>previously purchased</em> " "“smart” TVs, unless the purchasers agreed to let LG begin to " "snoop on them and distribute their personal data." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Some proprietary <a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/19/apple-talking-cats-in-app-purchases\"> " "games lure children to spend their parents' money</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/nsa-gchq-encryption-codes-security\">The " "NSA has put back doors into nonfree encryption software</a>. We don't know " "which ones they are, but we can be sure they include some widely used " "systems. This reinforces the point that you can never trust the security of " "nonfree software." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20130622044225/http://blogs.computerworlduk.com/open-enterprise/2013/06/how-can-any-company-ever-trust-microsoft-again/index.htm\">Microsoft " "informs the NSA of bugs in Windows before fixing them</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Adobe applications have time bombs: they <a " "href=\"https://techcrunch.com/2013/05/06/adobe-goes-all-in-with-subscription-based-creative-cloud-will-stop-selling-regular-cs-licenses-shrink-wrapped-boxes/\"> " "stop working after a certain time</a>, after which the user must pay to " "extend the time." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Once there was a problem with the servers that these programs use to check " "who has paid, and <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20150120010845/http://www.macuser.co.uk/9015-adobe-creative-cloud-outage-leaves-adobe-users-locked-out\"> " "the applications refused to work for anyone</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Oracle's nonfree Java plug-in for browsers <a " "href=\"https://www.zdnet.com/article/a-close-look-at-how-oracle-installs-deceptive-software-with-java-updates/\">sneakily " "installs other annoying proprietary software</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "That article disregards all other bad things about proprietary software. " "For instance, it regards the inclusion of proprietary Flash Player (which " "has a <a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20200808151607/http://www.imasuper.com/2008/10/09/flash-cookies-the-silent-privacy-killer/\">surveillance " "feature</a> and DRM) in Chrome as a good thing. Chrome is a proprietary " "browser with a universal back door." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "We don't agree with the article's views on those issues, but we present it " "as a factual reference." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "In 2014, <a " "href=\"https://www.computerworld.com/article/2715615/oracle-will-continue-to-bundle--crapware--with-java.html\"> " "Oracle insisted on continuing this practice</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Sony <a " "href=\"https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/03/sony-steals-feature-from-your-playstation-3\">sabotaged " "the Playstation 3</a> with a firmware downgrade that removed the feature " "that allowed users to run GNU/Linux on it." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "Sony subsequently sent police after Geohot, after he cracked the code that " "blocked users from changing the firmware, and we responded by calling for a " "<a href=\"http://boycottsony.org\">boycott of Sony</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "In a court settlement Sony is <a " "href=\"https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/06/if-you-used-to-run-linux-on-your-ps3-you-could-get-55-from-sony/\"> " "now paying for the sabotage</a>." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><ul><li><p> msgid "" "<a " "href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20230315024447/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2541250/update--apple-plays-hardball--upgrade--bricks--unlocked-iphones.html\"> " "An Apple firmware “upgrade” bricked iPhones that had been " "unlocked</a>. The “upgrade” also deactivated applications not " "approved by <a href=\"/proprietary/proprietary-jails.html\">Apple " "censorship</a>. All this was apparently intentional." msgstr "" #. TRANSLATORS: Use space (SPC) as msgstr if you don't have notes. #. type: Content of: <div><div> msgid "*GNUN-SLOT: TRANSLATOR'S NOTES*" msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><div><p> msgid "" "Please send general FSF & GNU inquiries to <a " "href=\"mailto:gnu@gnu.org\"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. There are also <a " "href=\"/contact/\">other ways to contact</a> the FSF. Broken links and " "other corrections or suggestions can be sent to <a " "href=\"mailto:webmasters@gnu.org\"><webmasters@gnu.org></a>." msgstr "" #. TRANSLATORS: Ignore the original text in this paragraph, #. replace it with the translation of these two: # #. We work hard and do our best to provide accurate, good quality #. translations. However, we are not exempt from imperfection. #. Please send your comments and general suggestions in this regard #. to <a href="mailto:web-translators@gnu.org"> # #. <web-translators@gnu.org></a>.</p> # #. <p>For information on coordinating and contributing translations of #. our web pages, see <a #. href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations #. README</a>. #. type: Content of: <div><div><p> msgid "" "Please see the <a " "href=\"/server/standards/README.translations.html\">Translations README</a> " "for information on coordinating and contributing translations of this " "article." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><p> msgid "Copyright © 2013, 2015-2025 Free Software Foundation, Inc." msgstr "" #. type: Content of: <div><p> msgid "" "This page is licensed under a <a rel=\"license\" " "href=\"http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\">Creative Commons " "Attribution 4.0 International License</a>." msgstr "" #. TRANSLATORS: Use space (SPC) as msgstr if you don't want credits. #. type: Content of: <div><div> msgid "*GNUN-SLOT: TRANSLATOR'S CREDITS*" msgstr "" #. timestamp start #. type: Content of: <div><p> msgid "Updated:" msgstr ""