Given the 21st century world’s reliance on digital technology, it should go without saying that privacy and security are pressing concerns — for individuals as well as federal and corporate entities. With an abundance of tools at our disposal, however, how do we make informed decisions about which to use to best ensure sensitive information is safe from prying eyes? At Purism, we advocate for the use of Free/Libre and Open-Source Software (FLOSS / OSS) as a cornerstone of any secure and private digital environment.
Open-source software is, first and foremost, honest. Instead of hiding its inner workings from public view, OSS allows anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance its code. In doing so, it also fosters a community of developers and users who can identify and address vulnerabilities much more swiftly than any bureaucratic megacorporation. Perhaps more importantly, when the source code is made available for scrutiny, it becomes much harder for malicious actors to insert backdoors or other nefarious elements without detection.
Relying on a single entity for scrutiny risks systemic vulnerabilities. OSS’s global community of developers allows for a collaborative approach that is often both more efficient and effective. Indeed, with enough reviewers, all bugs can in principle be made shallow.
By obscuring its inner workings and source code, proprietary software subjects its users to the mercy of its creators’ whims, which extend from the UI to data policies and security priorities. Proprietary software can force restrictions that you do not want, because they’re tied to the parts that you do want. With OSS, however, users can take ownership over their software. They can customize it to meet their specific needs and preferences, ensuring that their privacy and security requirements are met. If a vendor forces undesirable restrictions, the community can create a better version that removes those restrictions.
When you purchase and use proprietary software from a big tech company, you are also buying into that big tech company’s interests, policies, and support ecosystems. One can safely assume that most software from private companies (regardless of size, but perhaps even truer of those behemoth tech giants) is in some way collecting and monetizing user data.
Even if one were to overlook this unfortunate fact and think solely of that software’s usability, it can become a headache when that big company’s support systems are lacking.
OSS, on the other hand, is typically developed by independent communities or organizations with a commitment to user rights, privacy, and community assistance. By choosing OSS, users can reduce their reliance on big tech and mitigate the associated privacy concerns.
If you purchase software from a large company, who is to say that that company will dedicate the resources necessary to preserve that software’s long-term functionality? With OSS, the community of users and developers can continue to maintain and improve the software even if the original developers abandon it. This sustainability is crucial for maintaining security and privacy over the long term.
When a large company decides to cut costs and sunset software that you rely on, what can you do? The answer is unfortunate: Nothing. With its transparency and community-driven development, OSS becomes a clear choice for those who not only value long-term viability but also privacy and security. While proprietary software can benefit from the resources of big tech, OSS can ensure a safer and more private digital future for all.
Model | Status | Lead Time | ||
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Librem Key (Made in USA) | In Stock ($59+) | 10 business days | ||
Librem 5 | In Stock ($699+) 3GB/32GB | 10 business days | ||
Librem 5 COMSEC Bundle | In Stock ($1299+) Qty 2; 3GB/32GB | 10 business days | ||
Liberty Phone (Made in USA Electronics) | Backorder ($1,999+) 4GB/128GB | Estimated fulfillment early November | ||
Librem 5 + SIMple (3 GB Data) | In Stock ($99/mo) | 10 business days | ||
Librem 5 + SIMple Plus (5 GB Data) | In Stock ($129/mo) | 10 business days | ||
Librem 5 + AweSIM (Unlimited Data) | In Stock ($169/mo) | 10 business days | ||
Librem 11 | In Stock ($999+) 8GB/1TB | 10 business days | ||
Librem 14 | Backorder ($1,370+) | Estimated fulfillment date pending | ||
Librem Mini | Backorder ($799+) | Estimated fulfillment November | ||
Librem Server | In Stock ($2,999+) | 45 business days |