01.16.21
Gemini version available ♊︎Free Speech on the Web Not Respected by Companies That Used to Support Software Freedom
Summary: Mozilla does not have to make its Web browser about politics; it can just make an excellent piece of software that is neutral about the Web pages that it renders, based on the user’s personal preferences
THE sad story of Mozilla was told here countless times before, notably the lack of focus on freedom in Firefox and other projects (or products) of Mozilla. This ranges from technical problems, such as a lack of privacy and loss of technical edge, to more political problems. Last week the CEO of Mozilla enraged a number of Free software proponents, who aren’t even supporters of Donald Trump (many detest him). The timing was unfortunate and the wording made it seem like an attack on free speech, not on the far right. I decided not to comment on it until at least a week later because of the instincts people have (to identify everything and everyone as either pro-Trump or anti-Trump, without taking a sober angle/analysis into account, including unintended consequences). █