YH4F 2024 winners +++ Apple litigation page +++ SFSCON ‘24
It's November and our team heads to Bolzano for SFSCON, still thrilled by the
inspiring 2024 Youth Hacking 4 Freedom award ceremony! Last weeks we’ve also
launched a new page to keep you updated on the latest developments in
our involvement with the Apple vs. EC litigation. Find out the latest updates on
Router Freedom, REUSE and more!
Table of contents
Quote of the Month
“The final word on which apps you use on your device should be
yours. Which is why the EU ordered Apple to open up iOS devices to
rival app stores, something Apple categorically refuses to do. Apple’s
“plan” for complying with the DMA is, shall we say, sorely lacking
(this is part of a grand tradition of American tech giants wiping
their butts with EU laws that protect Europeans from predatory
activity, like the years Facebook spent ignoring European privacy
laws, manufacturing
stupid legal theories to defend the indefensible)”
Cory
Doctorow, on an article about
the
FSFE intervention in the Apple vs. EC litigation
Winners of the 2024 Youth Hacking 4 Freedom announced
The 2024 edition of the Youth Hacking 4 Freedom (YH4F) competition,
organised by the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE), successfully
concluded with an inspiring
award ceremony weekend in Brussels. Young developers from all over
Europe were recognised for their Free Software projects and presented
their work to an audience that included their families, jury members,
and new-found friends.
The six
winning projects, developed by young people aged between 14 and 18
and presented at the 2024 award ceremony, are: a federated social
network, an app to help dementia patients, software for finding events
and connecting with people in your area, a unique rhythm game, and an
app for sharing sheets of music and lyrics.
YH4F is a unique programming contest
designed to give Europeans aged 14 to 18 the opportunity to showcase
their programming skills and creativity by developing Free Software
projects.
Apple vs. European Commission: the FSFE launches a page with comprehensive information
The FSFE is intervening for Free Software in a key court case involving
Apple and the European Commission. Apple is trying to avoid obligations
derived from the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The FSFE seeks to hold
Apple accountable under the DMA in a developer-friendly way.
The decision to intervene in this case was not made lightly. But how
could we stand by while the Free Software movement faces this affront?
Yes, we decided to take action. We have just launched a dedicated
website with comprehensive information about the case: https://fsfe.org/activities/apple-litigation/.
We assert Apple should compete based on trustworthiness. Developers and
users alike should benefit from alternative services and products, not
just those offered, and controlled by Apple. Our plea is for fair
competition, IT security, and consumer protection.
More people need to be aware of this court case. We are asking you to
help spread the word! After reaching out, please share your experiences
with us.
Donate now
Where the FSFE Shapes the Future: SFSCON 2024!
We are excited to be back for the South Tyrol Free Software Conference
(SFSCON) on 8 and 9 November! SFSCON is the place to be if you’re
passionate about Free Software. Whether you’re a seasoned developer, a
curious newcomer, or a decision-maker, join us to learn, share, and get
inspired by Free Software in Bolzano.
As well as a booth full of promotional material and merchandising, we
will also be running talks and
workshops, including a session on our DMA
legal case and the urgent need
for sustainable, long-term financial support. We will also find out
who will receive the 2024 European SFS Award! Hope to see you at the NOI
park for some great discussions!
Exceptions against Router Freedom undermine users’ rights in Italy
In 2018 Italy implemented Router Freedom. However regulatory decisions
in 2019 and 2023 introduced exceptions for fiber networks. The FSFE has
now urged Italy’s telecom regulator, AGCOM, to remove these restrictions and
fully restore users' rights to choose their own equipment to connect to
fiber networks.
REUSE: Specification 3.3 and version 5.0.0 of the tool coming soon
REUSE makes it easier to license
code as Free Software by providing the tools and documentation that
developers need. Developers can apply standards-compliant and
comprehensive licensing information to their projects without needing to
be legal experts.
In a few days, we will release new versions of this project started in
2017 to make licensing easy, comprehensive, unambiguous, and
machine-readable. REUSE consists of a specification that standardises
licensing, a tool that helps achieve and verify compliance with the
specification, and documentation that helps developers through the
process. The new specification and tool will contain many small
improvements to make the process of licensing your code easier than
ever.
Ada & Zangemann: inventions from children!
"Now, you can enjoy the Ada &
Zangemann movie in English and start dreaming up all the amazing
inventions you’d love to create! After watching the movie, some students
from a local school did just that, and they
shared their creations with us!
The cold season has arrived, and our brand-new FSFE zipped hoodies are
here to keep you cozy! Don’t miss the final days to
pre-order—place your order by Monday, 11
November, at 23:59 CET to collect your hoodie at 38C3 or FOSDEM. You can
also order in a group to get delivery to your address with free
shipping. Available in sizes XS to 4XL, in blue or black, choose your
hoodie and preferred pick-up option.
Back to the stages
On October 26 2024, Dario Presutti, FSFE Project Manager, took part in
the Linux Day Milan 2024. The event took place at the Bicocca University
of Milan and was organised by two Free Software student associations and
the Italian Linux Society. This day was a great opportunity with an
enthusiastic crowd, including young newcomers. There were a Public
Money? Public Code! talk and a live reading of Ada and Zangemann. With I
Love Free Software posters and Ada’s story as conversation starters, we
connected with attendees passionate about Free Software in education,
sparking discussions about collaboration and awareness for FSFE's
initiatives.
Our local group in Poland recently had a fantastic time at Jesień
Linuksowa (Linux Autumn), where they had a FSFE information booth! This
annual event, organized by the Polish Linux Users Group (PLUG), is a
major gathering for GNU/Linux and Free Software enthusiasts and one of
the largest events of its kind in Poland. We’re thrilled to have
connected with so many passionate members of the community!
38c3… here we come!We’re thrilled to announce our
participation in the upcoming 38C3 in Hamburg, happening from December
27 to 30! Our team has just bought their tickets!Just as in past years,
FSFE will be part of the Bit&Bäume / about:freedom assembly. Join us
at our booth for exclusive merch, information materials, and engaging
activities! We’re excited to participate with lightning talks and
workshops, and, of course, our daily Free Software song gathering. If
you’re part of the FSFE Community and planning to attend, please reach
out!
And don’t forget: you have until November 11 to pre-order our new zip
hoodies, available for pickup at the Congress.
Before we see you in Hamburg, we have several event going on! Check out all of them in fsfe.org/events!
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possible for you to read this newsletter in your mother tongue.
Your editor,
Ana
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