Save WiFi/Individual Comments

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Revision as of 03:41, 9 September 2015 by Test2 (talk | contribs) (Take Action Now!)
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Right now, the FCC is considering a proposal to require manufacturers to lock down computing devices (routers, PCs, phones) to prevent modification if they have a "modular wireless radio"[1][2] or a device with an "electronic label"[3]. The rules would likely:

  • Restrict installation of alternative operating systems on your PC, like GNU/Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, etc.
  • Prevent research into advanced wireless technologies, like mesh networking and bufferbloat fixes
  • Ban installation of custom firmware on your Android phone
  • Discourage the development of alternative free and open source WiFi firmware, like OpenWrt
  • Infringe upon the ability of amateur radio operators to create high powered mesh networks to assist emergency personnel in a disaster.
  • Prevent resellers from installing firmware on routers, such as for retail WiFi hotspots or VPNs, without agreeing to any condition a manufacturer so chooses.

Take Action Now!

The FCC is asking for comments on this proposal. The most important thing you can do is comment on the FCC's proposal and tell them you want to be able to control your computing devices. Will you do this?

Comment deadline extended to October 9.

Instructions:

  1. Go to the Federal Register New link (Don't get fooled by deadline of November given there - error on the Federal Register page, deadline is now Oct 9, please continue to send comment) and press "Submit a formal comment"
  2. Start your comment by respectfully asking the FCC to not implement rules that take away the ability of users to install the software of their choosing on their computing devices. Additional points of emphasis you should consider adding:
    • Wireless networking research depends on the ability of researchers to investigate and modify their devices.
    • Americans need the ability to fix security holes in their devices when the manufacturer chooses to not do so.
    • Users have in the past fixed serious bugs in their wifi drivers, which would be banned under the NPRM.
    • Not fixing security holes either feeds cyberthreats or increases electronic waste.
    • Billions of dollars of commerce, such as secure wifi vendors, retail hotspot vendors, depends on the ability of users and companies to install the software of their choosing.
    • There is no evidence that open-source firmware has caused any more wireless interference than closed-source firmware.
  3. Enter your name and address. This is a public comment and your personal information provided will be publicly available.

Once you've submitted your comment, make sure to encourage others to submit comments opposing these restrictions on computing devices. Use the #SaveWifi hashtag on Twitter or your favorite microblogging services.

Additionally, if you'd like to further get involved, please join the mailing list, fcc@lists.prplfoundation.org, by visiting http://lists.prplfoundation.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fcc.

This page was a featured resource in September 2015.