"To bridge the gap between Android distributions and true mobile phone freedom, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) has launched an initiative called Librephone. It's not an attempt to build yet another mobile operating system. Rather, the goal is to develop replacements for proprietary blobs - binaries without associated source code - in Android device firmware that limit software freedom technically or legally."
"Google's Android operating system and Apple's iOS both limit that freedom through contractual rules and intellectual property rights. While alternative mobile operating systems exist, often distributions based on the Android Open Source Project (e.g., LineageOS), they may contain proprietary blobs related to specific vendors (e.g., Qualcomm). Such blobs, which often handle functions related to networking and wireless communication, are governed by software licenses that limit the sharing or modification of code."
"The FSF is now ready to do what is necessary to bring freedom to cell phone users. Given the complexity of the devices, this work will take time, but we're used to playing the long game."
The Free Software Foundation launched Librephone to replace proprietary firmware blobs in Android devices with free software equivalents to restore user freedom. Proprietary blobs, often provided by vendors like Qualcomm, frequently handle networking and wireless functions and are distributed under licenses that restrict sharing or modification. Android and iOS impose contractual and IP-based limits on user freedom, and many AOSP-based distributions still include vendor blobs. Librephone aims to reverse-engineer those blobs and produce FOSS replacements. The project recognizes device complexity and expects a long-term effort. Some projects, such as GrapheneOS, have declined FSF endorsement over firmware update security concerns.
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