This isn’t a software problem. It’s a capitalism problem.
It should be straight up illegal to remove pre-existing functionality from a device, regardless of whether that is present in software or hardware. If you release it on a stable channel, if you advertise it as a feature of a device, you support it for the life of the device. You can test beta features via an entirely separate beta app, but once the feature becomes stable you don’t have a choice anymore. Once you stop supporting the hardware or software, you are required to open source everything required for consumers — as well as any competitor — to pickup where you left off and continue development.
If you release it on a stable channel, if you advertise it as a feature of a device, you support it for the life of the device.
And when support ends you must provide everything necessary for users to have absolute control over the hardware themselves. “Unsupported so it’s trash” is nonsense.
Once you stop supporting the hardware or software, you are required to open source everything required for consumers — as well as any competitor — to pickup where you left off and continue development.
This isn’t a software problem. It’s a capitalism problem.
It should be straight up illegal to remove pre-existing functionality from a device, regardless of whether that is present in software or hardware. If you release it on a stable channel, if you advertise it as a feature of a device, you support it for the life of the device. You can test beta features via an entirely separate beta app, but once the feature becomes stable you don’t have a choice anymore. Once you stop supporting the hardware or software, you are required to open source everything required for consumers — as well as any competitor — to pickup where you left off and continue development.
And when support ends you must provide everything necessary for users to have absolute control over the hardware themselves. “Unsupported so it’s trash” is nonsense.
Does this not cover that??
You can open source everything and it doesn’t matter if you don’t provide the keys to unlock it.
You’re going to have to proactively provide tools for users to unlock their devices completely.