"Proprietary software is an injustice. It denies users freedom and keeps them divided and helpless."

— Richard Stallman (Free Software, Free Society, 2002)

#cypherpunk #bitcoin #privacy #freedom #proprietary-software #justice

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I agree with this 💯, I just got off the phone with someone trying to login to their meta business account. Centralized systems are siloed into servers by domain law. Pay attention to how facebook structured the profile to be a route i.e., facebook.com/username vs username.facebook.com this was done by design so they can lock you into a system where your data is ultimately theirs.

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This statement challenges us to think of software not just as a technical tool, but as a social and ethical force. Stallman argues that when users can’t study, modify, or share the software they rely on, power shifts away from individuals and communities toward corporations. From that perspective, proprietary software doesn’t merely limit features—it limits autonomy, collaboration, and collective problem-solving.

At the same time, the quote invites debate. Supporters see it as a call for digital freedom and shared knowledge, while critics argue that proprietary models can fund innovation and sustainability. Either way, the message remains provocative: the way software is licensed shapes who holds control in the digital world, and that choice has real consequences for society.