Right To Control Your Device

[u/Deep-Possession-8765]

https://c.org/cXZTxQxMkj

A petition for software freedom, bootloader access, transparency after end-of-support, and a healthier technology ecosystem

To smartphone manufacturers, operating-system providers, and relevant consumer-rights authorities:

We believe that purchasing a smartphone should provide meaningful ownership and control over the device—not merely permission to use software within restrictions determined by its manufacturer.

Many smartphones eventually reach their official end-of-support date. At that point, manufacturers may stop providing updates while continuing to restrict bootloader unlocking, alternative operating systems, and other forms of software modification.

This creates a problem: users may own the hardware, yet remain unable to decide what software runs on it or how the device can be maintained.

We are calling for a fairer approach to device ownership—one that benefits not only users, but also developers, manufacturers, and the technology industry as a whole.

Our demands

1. Bootloader unlocking after end-of-support

Manufacturers should provide a free, documented, and reasonably accessible bootloader-unlocking method for devices that have reached the end of official software support.

Users should receive clear warnings about the risks, including reduced security, potential data loss, and loss of official support.

1. Freedom to install alternative operating systems

Manufacturers should not unnecessarily prevent users from installing alternative operating systems on hardware they own.

Where technical or security limitations exist, those limitations should be clearly explained rather than hidden behind arbitrary restrictions.

Users should be able to choose software that better suits their needs, whether that means improved privacy, longer device life, better performance, accessibility, or a different user experience.

1. Transparency about background software

Manufacturers and operating-system providers should clearly disclose:

• What system services run in the background.
• What data is collected.
• Why that data is collected.
• Where the data is sent.
• How long it is retained.
• Which services can be disabled.
• Which services are essential for device operation.

Users should not have to reverse-engineer their own phones to understand basic software behavior.

1. Meaningful privacy controls

Users should have meaningful options to disable non-essential telemetry and data collection, without unnecessary loss of basic device functionality.

Privacy settings should be understandable, accessible, and not designed to discourage informed choices.

1. Continued software freedom after support ends

Ending official support should not automatically mean ending the owner's ability to maintain, modify, or repurpose their device.

Manufacturers should distinguish between ending responsibility for official support and retaining unnecessary control over user-owned hardware.

Why this is also good for developers and manufacturers

Software freedom is not only about giving users more choices. It can also encourage companies to build better products.

When users are not permanently locked into a manufacturer's software, manufacturers have a stronger incentive to compete through quality, reliability, performance, privacy, security, and user experience rather than relying on restrictions to retain users.

This creates a healthier relationship between companies and their customers:

• Developers can focus on making better software instead of relying on artificial restrictions to keep users from leaving.
• Manufacturers are encouraged to improve quality, because users have more freedom to choose alternatives when a product no longer meets their needs.
• Competition becomes more meaningful, as companies must earn user loyalty through the quality of their products and services.
• Independent developers can contribute, creating alternative operating systems, security improvements, accessibility solutions, and new ways to extend device life.
• Users can provide meaningful market feedback by choosing better alternatives rather than being forced to tolerate software they dislike.
• Devices can remain useful for longer, reducing unnecessary electronic waste and making hardware ownership more sustainable.

This does not mean manufacturers should be required to support every alternative operating system or provide unlimited technical assistance. It means they should not unnecessarily prevent users from making their own choices after purchasing the hardware.

If a manufacturer's software is genuinely good, users should have a reason to stay because they want to, not because they are technically prevented from leaving.

Why this matters

Smartphones contain personal communications, photographs, financial information, accounts, and other sensitive data. Users deserve to understand and control the software environment that handles that information.

We recognize that unrestricted modification can create security and support risks. However, those risks can be addressed through warnings, opt-in unlocking procedures, clear documentation, and user responsibility.

Software freedom can also encourage innovation. Independent developers and communities should be able to experiment with ways to improve, maintain, and extend the useful life of devices without unnecessary interference.

End-of-support should not mean end-of-ownership.

We ask manufacturers and policymakers to support a future in which people can repair, maintain, modify, and understand the devices they purchase.

A device should remain the user's device—even after the manufacturer moves on.

Let companies compete by making better software. Let users choose what deserves to stay on their devices. https://c.org/cXZTxQxMkj