“Thursday, October 14, 2010 — The Free Software Foundation
(FSF) announced today that it has published an initial set of
criteria for endorsing computers and other devices. The FSF seeks
both to obtain feedback on the criteria, and raise interest in the
program among hardware manufacturers. Ultimately, the FSF plans to
promote an endorsement mark to be carried on products that meet the
criteria: respects your freedom.“”The desire to own a computer or device and have full control
over it, to know that you are not being spied on or tracked, to run
any software you wish without asking permission, and to share with
friends without worrying about Digital Restrictions Management
(DRM)—these are the desires of millions of people who care
about the future of technology and our society. Unfortunately,
hardware manufacturers have until now relied on close cooperation
with proprietary software companies that demanded control over
their users. As citizens and their customers, we need to promote
our desires for a new class of hardware—hardware that anyone
can support because it respects your freedom,” said Peter Brown,
executive director of the FSF.“The FSF’s criteria seek to cover all aspects of user
interaction with and control of a device:”