Makers slam Qualcomm for tightening the clamps on Arduino

"Qualcomm quietly rewrote the terms of service for its newest acquisition, programmable microcontroller and SBC maker Arduino, drawing intense fire from the maker community for grabbing additional rights to user-generated content on its platform and prohibiting reverse-engineering of what was once very open software. In a level of open criticism that's unusually frank for Microsoft's corporate-friendly business-networking site, hobbyist electronics vendor Adafruit published a stinging assessment of the rewritten terms and conditions for Qualcomm's new subsidiary Arduino, saying that "the changes mark a clear break from the open-hardware ethos that built the platform.""

""The new documents introduce an irrevocable, perpetual license over anything users upload, broad surveillance-style monitoring of AI features, a clause preventing users from identifying potential patent infringement, years-long retention of usernames even after account deletion, and the integration of all user data (including minors) into Qualcomm's global data ecosystem. If that were not worrying enough, it notes: Users are now explicitly forbidden from reverse-engineering or even attempting to understand how the platform works unless Arduino gives permission.""

Qualcomm rewrote the terms of service and privacy policy for Arduino after acquiring the company. The new terms grant Qualcomm an irrevocable, perpetual license over anything users upload and permit broad surveillance-style monitoring tied to AI features. The documents include a clause preventing users from identifying potential patent infringement, mandate years-long retention of usernames after account deletion, and fold all user data (including minors) into Qualcomm's global data ecosystem. Users are explicitly forbidden from reverse-engineering or attempting to understand platform internals without Arduino permission. The maker community and vendors such as Adafruit reacted with swift, public condemnation and calls to migrate to alternative hardware ecosystems.

Read at Theregister