Sure, GPL software can be used for any purpose. Legislation saying that it
cannot be used to take away freedom, to construct a police state, seems
proper.
Government and organization procurement policies can block Free
Software,
no matter what the GPL says.
If the organization's policies are
that only certain software is acceptable, then
that is the way it goes. If
someone introduces the forbidden software, they
can be fired for violating the
policy, and the software can be removed.
The point is, Free Software should
not be used to build huge espionage
networks and data warehouses that eliminate
freedom. It shouldn't be used
to control drones that kill citizens without due
process. This restriction won't
come from the GPL, it would have to come from
legislation.
Why allow the oppressors to use the tools to oppress - for
free? My whole
argument is that the intent of Free Software is not to take
freedoms away, and
yet it is apparent that it is actively and massively being
used to do just that.
That should be illegal. --- March 23, 2010 -
Judgement day. [ Reply to This | Parent | # ]
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