"DMA's interoperability is against fundamental rights" claims Apple. The FSFE disagrees. If you also think interoperability is key for software freedom, support us!

Newsletter

YH4F 2024 winners +++ Apple litigation page +++ SFSCON ‘24

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It's November and our team heads to Bolzano for SFSCON, still thrilled by the inspiring 2024 Youth Hacking 4 Freedom award ceremony! Last weeks we’ve also launched a new page to keep you updated on the latest developments in our involvement with the Apple vs. EC litigation. Find out the latest updates on Router Freedom, REUSE and more!

Collage with an illustration of an apple with a worm inside, a picture with FSFE booth and some staffers during SFSCON 2023, router freedom sticker and a picture from the workshop during YH4F award ceremony showing YH4F transparent badges and all the tools needed to tinker with arduino

Table of contents

Quote of the Month

“The final word on which apps you use on your device should be yours. Which is why the EU ordered Apple to open up iOS devices to rival app stores, something Apple categorically refuses to do. Apple’s “plan” for complying with the DMA is, shall we say, sorely lacking (this is part of a grand tradition of American tech giants wiping their butts with EU laws that protect Europeans from predatory activity, like the years Facebook spent ignoring European privacy laws, manufacturing stupid legal theories to defend the indefensible)”

Cory Doctorow, on an article about the FSFE intervention in the Apple vs. EC litigation

Winners of the 2024 Youth Hacking 4 Freedom announced

The 2024 edition of the Youth Hacking 4 Freedom (YH4F) competition, organised by the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE), successfully concluded with an inspiring award ceremony weekend in Brussels. Young developers from all over Europe were recognised for their Free Software projects and presented their work to an audience that included their families, jury members, and new-found friends.

The six winning projects, developed by young people aged between 14 and 18 and presented at the 2024 award ceremony, are: a federated social network, an app to help dementia patients, software for finding events and connecting with people in your area, a unique rhythm game, and an app for sharing sheets of music and lyrics.

YH4F is a unique programming contest designed to give Europeans aged 14 to 18 the opportunity to showcase their programming skills and creativity by developing Free Software projects.

Apple vs. European Commission: the FSFE launches a page with comprehensive information

The FSFE is intervening for 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.

The decision to intervene in this case was not made lightly. But how could we stand by while the Free Software movement faces this affront? Yes, we decided to take action. We have just launched a dedicated website with comprehensive information about the case: https://fsfe.org/activities/apple-litigation/.

We assert Apple should compete based on trustworthiness. Developers and users alike should benefit from alternative services and products, not just those offered, and controlled by Apple. Our plea is for fair competition, IT security, and consumer protection.

More people need to be aware of this court case. We are asking you to help spread the word! After reaching out, please share your experiences with us.

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Where the FSFE Shapes the Future: SFSCON 2024!

We are excited to be back for the South Tyrol Free Software Conference (SFSCON) on 8 and 9 November! SFSCON is the place to be if you’re passionate about Free Software. Whether you’re a seasoned developer, a curious newcomer, or a decision-maker, join us to learn, share, and get inspired by Free Software in Bolzano.

As well as a booth full of promotional material and merchandising, we will also be running talks and workshops, including a session on our DMA legal case and the urgent need for sustainable, long-term financial support. We will also find out who will receive the 2024 European SFS Award! Hope to see you at the NOI park for some great discussions!

Exceptions against Router Freedom undermine users’ rights in Italy

In 2018 Italy implemented Router Freedom. However regulatory decisions in 2019 and 2023 introduced exceptions for fiber networks. The FSFE has now urged Italy’s telecom regulator, AGCOM, to remove these restrictions and fully restore users' rights to choose their own equipment to connect to fiber networks.

REUSE: Specification 3.3 and version 5.0.0 of the tool coming soon

REUSE makes it easier to license code as Free Software by providing the tools and documentation that developers need. Developers can apply standards-compliant and comprehensive licensing information to their projects without needing to be legal experts.

In a few days, we will release new versions of this project started in 2017 to make licensing easy, comprehensive, unambiguous, and machine-readable. REUSE consists of a specification that standardises licensing, a tool that helps achieve and verify compliance with the specification, and documentation that helps developers through the process. The new specification and tool will contain many small improvements to make the process of licensing your code easier than ever.

Ada & Zangemann: inventions from children!

"Now, you can enjoy the Ada & Zangemann movie in English and start dreaming up all the amazing inventions you’d love to create! After watching the movie, some students from a local school did just that, and they shared their creations with us!

The cold season has arrived, and our brand-new FSFE zipped hoodies are here to keep you cozy! Don’t miss the final days to pre-order—place your order by Monday, 11 November, at 23:59 CET to collect your hoodie at 38C3 or FOSDEM. You can also order in a group to get delivery to your address with free shipping. Available in sizes XS to 4XL, in blue or black, choose your hoodie and preferred pick-up option.

Back to the stages

On October 26 2024, Dario Presutti, FSFE Project Manager, took part in the Linux Day Milan 2024. The event took place at the Bicocca University of Milan and was organised by two Free Software student associations and the Italian Linux Society. This day was a great opportunity with an enthusiastic crowd, including young newcomers. There were a Public Money? Public Code! talk and a live reading of Ada and Zangemann. With I Love Free Software posters and Ada’s story as conversation starters, we connected with attendees passionate about Free Software in education, sparking discussions about collaboration and awareness for FSFE's initiatives.

Our local group in Poland recently had a fantastic time at Jesień Linuksowa (Linux Autumn), where they had a FSFE information booth! This annual event, organized by the Polish Linux Users Group (PLUG), is a major gathering for GNU/Linux and Free Software enthusiasts and one of the largest events of its kind in Poland. We’re thrilled to have connected with so many passionate members of the community!

38c3… here we come!We’re thrilled to announce our participation in the upcoming 38C3 in Hamburg, happening from December 27 to 30! Our team has just bought their tickets!Just as in past years, FSFE will be part of the Bit&Bäume / about:freedom assembly. Join us at our booth for exclusive merch, information materials, and engaging activities! We’re excited to participate with lightning talks and workshops, and, of course, our daily Free Software song gathering. If you’re part of the FSFE Community and planning to attend, please reach out!

And don’t forget: you have until November 11 to pre-order our new zip hoodies, available for pickup at the Congress.

Before we see you in Hamburg, we have several event going on! Check out all of them in fsfe.org/events!

Contribute to our Newsletter

We would love to hear from you. If you have any thoughts, pictures, or news to share, please send them to us at newsletter@fsfe.org. You can also support us, contribute to our work, and join our community. We would like to thank our community and all the volunteers, supporters, and donors who make our work possible, with a special mention to our translators who make it possible for you to read this newsletter in your mother tongue.

Your editor,
Ana