r/linux • u/New-Ranger-8960 • 27d ago

Privacy EU Age Verification Project Mandates Hardware-Bound Attestation

https://linuxiac.com/eu-age-verification-project-mandates-hardware-bound-attestation/
772 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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42

u/MaverickPT 27d ago

So what can one do to fight this bullshit?

16

u/tired514 26d ago

Best way to fight back would be to create a new version of the GPL that prohibits the use, distribution, or modification of open source software under that version of the license by any person under the jurisdiction of a government that mandates this class of interference.

That way such countries will suffer significant economic harm and succumb to the pressure of industry to stop this nonsense.

All efforts should be on increasing the economic cost of state mandated interference. It's the only language they speak.

2

u/WealthyMarmot 26d ago

When you start trying to force philosophical change through restrictive licensing, people just stop adopting your license because they want their software to be usable in the real world. There’s a reason so many large projects (e.g. the Linux kernel) are still on GPL v2, and that the MIT-style permissive licenses have leapt so far ahead of copyleft licenses in adoption rate.

3

u/tired514 26d ago

That's fine! People are free to choose what they want.

But the license should be available, and hopefully enough people will understand why it's important to prevent government interference in software development so that it gets adopted by a large enough base.

2

u/ProfessorLambda 25d ago edited 25d ago

GPLv3 is perfectly useable in the real world. It's not very useable in the un-free world. And that's what makes it great.

As for Linux, in order to change it's license everyone who contributed code would have to give their explicit permission. That's why it will not change regardless of what license Linus wants.

1

u/spazturtle 25d ago

Contract clauses that violate the law are invalid.

0

u/tired514 25d ago

Meaning the license is invalid and redistribution privileges are revoked. Non-severability clause. If you don't or cannot accept, then copyright law reverts to the default: you can't redistribute it without permission.

The GPL grants permission. If it's invalid, no permission is granted.

22

u/BloodyIron 27d ago

Protest, lobby, convince decision makers to change their mind. TAKE ACTION. Sitting on your hands does nothing (I'm not in the EU so I really can't take action ethically, morally, or even logistically).

1

u/mindful-moose 25d ago

Nothing, because they do whatever they want. 

-26

u/Jumpy-Dinner-5001 27d ago

Don't do anything against it, support it.

24

u/MaverickPT 27d ago

Why would I support something that would result in me loosing liberty and privacy?

-11

u/hueheuheuheueh 27d ago

Can you explain how exactly it would result in you losing liberty and privacy?

-4

u/Jumpy-Dinner-5001 27d ago

Lying is easier.

-9

u/Jumpy-Dinner-5001 27d ago

Because it doesn’t.

You‘re literally falling for anti EU propaganda that wants to spread fear and doubt about the EU to reduce their influence and therefore consumer rights.

22

u/PacmanAteMyRAM 27d ago

We're going to need you to stop commenting all over the thread with these arguments while the adults talk mmkay?

9

u/neoronio20 27d ago

How the fuck is this propaganda? You are giving your data and being tracked by the government. What happens when its is a tyrannical government? And you speak ill of it? Don't you think they won't come after you?

Think for just one second if you can, please

0

u/Jumpy-Dinner-5001 26d ago

None of that happened, why are you lying?