Device Neutrality Activities

Since its foundation in 2001, the FSFE has been working every single day to further software freedom in Europe and beyond. Beside the activities below, a large part of our work consists of continuous engagement and background work contributing at events and answering questions and enquiries around software freedom.

Our vision: that everyone has the right to remove and install any software on any of their devices.

  • DMA: Apple Litigation

    The FSFE is intervening to safeguard Free Software in a key court case involving Apple and the European Commission. Apple is trying to avoid obligations derived from the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The FSFE seeks to hold Apple accountable under the DMA in a developer-friendly way.

  • Device Neutrality

    Although digital devices are ubiquitous today, the number of devices on which users cannot run Free Software is exponentially increasing. The consequence is an increased loss of control over users’ technology. Device Neutrality aims to enable end-users to bypass gatekeepers to have a non-discriminatory use of Free Software on their devices.

  • Digital Markets Act

    Device Neutrality is the policy concept to regulate monopoly over devices and re-establish end-user control over their digital equipment. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulates the economic activity of large digital platforms and introduces Device Neutrality in the EU legislation, fostering access to Free Sofware in Devices.

  • Router Freedom

    Although we should be free to choose the technical devices we use in our private lives, some European Internet Service Providers are dictating which device their customers have to use to connect to the Internet, or discriminating against owners of alternative devices. This undermines our basic freedom of choice.

  • Free Your Android

    Android is a mostly free operating system but unfortunately the drivers for most devices and most applications in the built-in store are not Free Software. This initiative helps you to regain control of your Android device and your data.

  • Refund4Freedom

    When acquiring a new laptop you often end up dealing with an imposed pre-installed Microsoft Windows operating system. This is unfair. The Refund4Freedom initiative guides users in how to get their money back in these cases and demands the end of this practice that limits user freedom.

More Device Neutrality Activities

  • Upcycling AndroidFinished

    Keep using your phone with Free Software. Upcycling Android explains the issue of software obsolescence in the Android world and helps people flashing their phones with Free Software operating systems.

  • DRM.info

    DRM.info is a collaborative platform initiated and maintained by the FSFE to inform about the dangers and concerns of the Digital Restrictions Management. Contributors to DRM.info include digital freedom, consumer protection, net activism and library organisations.