Notices by Free Software Foundation Europe (fsfe@mastodon.social)

📬 Our :fsfe: October newsletter is out:

🔹 Software Freedom in Europe 2026: our 12-month report
🔹 Podcast on #RouterFreedom and the #DNA, plus one on the Danish local group 🎧
🔹 #YH4F joins Italy’s PCTO school programme
🔹 Next stop: #SFSCON26 in Bolzano

💻 https://fsfe.org/news/nl/nl-202610.en.html

#FreeSoftware #SoftwareFreedom

After decades of dependency, EU's new Tech Sovereignty Package is introducing a #FreeSoftware first rule for public cloud & AI contracts. A real step BUT only if it becomes mandatory, not optional.

#PublicCode #DigitalSovereignty

You should not have to pay for software you don't want. Devices like laptops should be neutral in relation to the software they run:
🔸 Do not restrict users to specific software.
🔹 Transparent pricing. Consumers should have the right to decline pre-installed software.
🔸 Hassle-free refunds. Manufacturers and vendors should clearly publish the steps for requesting and obtaining a refund on their websites.

💻 https://en.refund4freedom.org/

#SoftwareFreedom #DeviceNeutrality

⚠️ Breaking News!

The @Curia ruled today that Apple must comply with interoperability obligations under the #DMA

The Court also confirmed the App Store as a core platform service.

A victory for developers, computer users and #SoftwareFreedom! 🚀

https://fsfe.org/news/2026/news-20260708-01.en.html

#FreeSoftware

Did you know Ada & Zangemann is also a FREE animated movie? Released under a Creative Commons licence, you can watch it right now on the FSFE PeerTube and YouTube channels! In English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Danish. 🎉
🎥 https://media.fsfe.org/w/p/k77oZk33uLy95DZmx8FUHJ
#AdaZangemann #FreeSoftware

⚠️ The FSFE has submitted its position to the @EUCommission's Android interoperability consultation under the #DMA

The FSFE is calling for the following, among other things:

🔹 the right to fully uninstall AI-based features from Android devices,

🔸 and access to interoperability functions for developers free from #Google verification requirements

#SoftwareFreedom #FreeSoftware

Our latest #SoftwareFreedom Podcast episode is out! 🚀

🎧 Get your earphones and listen to @nicorikken and @annabonnie talking about the Dutch #tdose conference in Eindhoven.

https://fsfe.org/news/podcast/2026/episode-52.html

#FreeSoftware

#KeepAndroidOpen

The :fsfe: FSFE signed an open letter addressed to Sundar Pichai, CEO of #Google, regarding Google's announced policy requiring all #Android app developers to register centrally with Google to distribute applications outside the Google Play Store.

https://keepandroidopen.org/open-letter/

🫵 What you can do

- Read and share the open letter: https://keepandroidopen.org/open-letter/

- If you are part of an organisation, join the signatories from across civil society, #FreeSoftware communities, and industry.

- Please help so that Google also understands it is not in its interest to jeopardise its own success in mobile by making Android unfriendly to developers who care about #softwarefreedom

#KeepAndroidOpen

📢 What we ask from #Google:

- Rescind mandatory developer registration for all third‑party distribution.

- Engage in transparent dialogue with civil society, #FreeSoftware communities, and regulators on improving security without sacrificing openness.

- Commit to platform neutrality so that Google’s role as Android steward does not conflict with its commercial interests.

🧐 Google’s plan would mean that all personal data of #FreeSoftware app developers on Android would end up with #Google, even apps distributed outside the Play Store, by forcing developers to register and hand over ID.

❌️ It raises barriers for small and volunteer projects, like @fdroidorg, and increases the risk of surveillance, censorship, and arbitrary bans against privacy‑protecting and critical apps.

⚠️ 450 FSFE supporters affected: Payment provider Nexi cancelled us ⚠️

Our long-term payment provider, Nexi, has terminated our contract without prior notice.

As a result, our supporters’ recurring credit card and direct debit donations have been halted by them.

This affects more than 450 FSFE supporters, whom we have already informed by email.

Read more here: https://fsfe.org/news/2026/news-20260316-01.en.html

@mullana

...this is why ❤️

2/2

Why we celebrate #ILoveFS day? Have a look at our new comic by @mullana

https://ilovefs.org/comic

CC-BY-SA 4.0

1/2

Digital sovereignty requires #FreeSoftware.

What matters is not whether software is developed or sold by European vendors, but whether all users are allowed to use, study, share, and improve it. A stack is sovereign only if it is 100% #FreeSoftware, guaranteeing data sovereignty, the ability to adapt and switch providers, and full transparency.

Our feedback on the second #DeutschlandStack consultation:
https://gitlab.opencode.de/dstack/d-stack-home/-/issues/624 (German)

#DigitalSovereignty #PublicCode #OpenSource

The vacation period is a perfect opportunity to share FSFE’s movie “Ada & #Zangemann – A Tale of Software, Skateboards, and Raspberry Ice Cream” with people around you, both in person and online. Help us reach as many viewers as possible, especially children !

🔹Danish https://media.fsfe.org/w/7S9bNkf36e7vBnBrBhj7vS
🔸English https://media.fsfe.org/w/j1c6LQVZ8qnCLLwpXMuw3M
🔹French https://media.fsfe.org/w/jPLeR3vpYE7zWaTYdsB9JU
🔸German https://media.fsfe.org/w/aw4EHJYVBSQGHPS22xXBG2
🔹Italian https://media.fsfe.org/w/truAn16kstE9qiv6sKJGDt
🔸Spanish https://media.fsfe.org/w/mPiL4nzoJ21gWiG4JHLATf

#HappyHolidyays! #FreeSoftware

December has arrived, and with it, our last newsletter of 2025 🚀

🔸 we took part in the consultation on the Germany Stack,
🔹 exchanged insights at the Article 19 2025 #DMA Enforcement Symposium,
🔸 and gave #REUSE a new home on @Codeberg

Meanwhile, registration for the next edition of #YH4F is opened and we have new #SoftwareFreedom podcast episodes to listen to. 🎧

https://fsfe.org/news/nl/nl-202512.en.html

#FreeSoftware

⚠️ The Free Software Foundation Europe deleted its account on X ⚠️

The platform never aligned with our values and no longer serves as a space for communication. What initially intended to be a place for dialogue and information exchange has turned into a centralised arena of hostility, misinformation, and profit-driven control, far removed from the ideals of freedom we stand for.

Find out more: https://fsfe.org/news/2025/news-20251204-01.en.html

#FreeSoftware #SoftwareFreedom

💻 Love computers? Don’t waste money on gadgets today. Support the individuals, companies, and organisations behind #FreeSoftware (#OpenSource) who are shaping how society uses technology in the long run. (E.g. to us: https://fsfe.org/donate

PS: We apologize if our graphics trigger nostalgia, mild trauma, or an uncontrollable urge to code. 😅

Digital sovereignty can only be achieved with Free Software! That’s why, in our feedback to the Germany Stack consultation, we call for the Stack to be implemented entirely as Free Software.

Read our news item:
https://fsfe.org/news/2025/news-20251124-01.html

Our feedback on openCode:
https://gitlab.opencode.de/dstack/d-stack-home/-/issues/347 (DE)

The Germany Stack consultation runs until 30 November 2025. Until then, everyone can submit feedback via openCode.

#FreeSoftware #PublicCode #DStack #OpenSource @BMDS