projects / libreplanet-static.git / blame
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1 | LibrePlanet is an annual conference hosted by the [Free Software |
| 2 | Foundation](https://www.fsf.org) for free software enthusiasts and | |
| 3 | anyone who cares about the intersection of technology and social | |
| 4 | justice. LibrePlanet brings together software developers, law and policy | |
| 5 | experts, activists, students, and computer users to learn skills, | |
| 6 | celebrate free software accomplishments, and face challenges to software | |
| 7 | freedom. Newcomers are always welcome, and LibrePlanet 2020 will feature | |
| 8 | programming for all ages and experience levels. The theme for | |
| 9 | LibrePlanet 2020 is **"Free the Future"**. | |
| a94a41be | 10 | |
| 8ce4b5e1 | 11 | Many picture the future of software bringing about a dystopian world |
| 15255799 Z |
12 | because of the daily encroachments on user rights. Even in our own |
| 13 | homes, we are not shielded from technology companies listening to | |
| 14 | every word we say through their [proprietary "smart" personal | |
| 15 | assistants][4]. The thirst for user data gleaned through nonfree | |
| 16 | software and unethical network services like Amazon and Facebook seems | |
| 17 | to be unquenchable, and they require strong resistance. | |
| 8ce4b5e1 | 18 | |
| 15255799 | 19 | [4]:https://fortune.com/2019/08/08/gogole-amazon-microsoft-listen-conversation-siri/ |
| 8ce4b5e1 | 20 | |
| 15255799 Z |
21 | Surveillance developments are becoming more and more unsettling |
| 22 | because of the use of [facial recognition by state and county | |
| 23 | agencies][5]. The [FBI is planning to actively monitor our social | |
| 24 | media activity][6] in the name of "safety." Can free software help | |
| 25 | defend our rights? | |
| 26 | ||
| 27 | [5]:https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/04/business/facial-recognition-uk-court.html?module=inline | |
| 28 | [6]:https://www.wsj.com/articles/fbi-and-facebook-potentially-at-odds-over-social-media-monitoring-11565277021 | |
| 29 | ||
| 30 | Education also needs our attention. The recent introduction of | |
| 31 | Pearson's "Netflix of textbooks" model inhibits students' rights to | |
| 32 | education by digitally constraining their learning environment. With | |
| 33 | our 2019 [International Day Against Digital Restrictions Management | |
| 34 | (DRM)][7], we are exposing our rapidly diminishing authority over our | |
| 35 | technology, as exemplified by Pearson. Steps like these set a | |
| 36 | dangerous precedent for all readers, no matter their age or location. | |
| 37 | ||
| 38 | [7]:https://www.defectivebydesign.org/blog/help_defend_right_read_stand_against_drm_october_12th | |
| 8ce4b5e1 GF |
39 | |
| 40 | These are just some of the many examples that come to mind when | |
| 41 | contemplating the direction technology is taking us. For each new | |
| 42 | convenience that we gain, it seems we lose even more in the process, | |
| 43 | exchanging intangible but vital rights to freedom and privacy for the | |
| 44 | latest new gadget. But there is resistance, and it doesn't have to be | |
| 15255799 Z |
45 | this way. The free software community has continuously defied the |
| 46 | pressure to use nonfree software and provided a means of escape. We | |
| 47 | are in the unique position to offer solutions to these problems by | |
| 48 | combining our technical abilities and educational skills with our | |
| 49 | ethical dedication to envision a future free from the clutches of | |
| 50 | nonfree software and network services that mistreat their users. In | |
| 51 | short, 2020 will be the year we **"Free the Future."** |