FSF Criticizes Raspberry Pi DRM Blocking RAM Upgrades
The Free Software Foundation "has never supported Raspberry Pi," writes their deputy directory Sean O'Brien, "as it depends on nonfree software for the boot process, leaving an important part of the computer outside the user's control." But they're now decrying "an even more intrusive restriction on user freedom" — the binary-blob bootloader changes that limit your ability to upgrade RAM: The…
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has expressed concern over new restrictions imposed on Raspberry Pi devices that limit user ability to upgrade RAM. This move is seen as an intrusion on user freedom, as it is an example of Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) that prevents users from making modifications to their hardware. The FSF argues that DRM is used to prevent the owner from upgrading RAM, which is a legitimate aspect of the computer that should remain under the user's control.
The FSF suggests that Raspberry Pi could use free software to verify a computer's original factory configuration, and provide tools for users to verify the hardware that originally shipped with their board, instead of imposing software-enforced restrictions on RAM upgrades.
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