| From: |
| Free Software Foundation <info-AT-fsf.org> |
| To: |
| LWN <lwn-AT-lwn.net> |
| Subject: |
| Free Software Supporter — Issue 219, July 2026 |
| Date: |
| Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:29:41 +0000 |
| Message-ID: |
| <crmmailer+m.100565055.azvxubs1oq6qafmq@fsf.org> |
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*Read and share online:
<https://www.fsf.org/free-software-supporter/2026/july>.*
Welcome to the *Free Software Supporter*, the Free Software
Foundation's (FSF) monthly news digest and action update — being read
by you and 237,613 other activists.
## TABLE OF CONTENTS
* Commit to freedom
* LibrePhone update, organizing locally, and more in issue 48 of the digital *Bulletin*
* Ten stories from around the world: LibreLocal 2026, part one
* The Licensing and Compliance Lab: Informing and defending
* GNU Press Shop open now through July 19
* Free Software Awards: Nominate a person or project by July 12
* The KIDS Act would require age checks to get online
* Blast from the past as GIMP 0.54 is revived in Flatpak form
* Vendor lock-in: It’s not the app, it’s the format
* June GNU Emacs news
* Join the FSF and friends in updating the Free Software Directory
* LibrePlanet featured resource: Activism Guide
* June GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali featuring eighteen new GNU releases: Linux-libre, Direvent,
and more!
* FSF and other free software events
* Thank GNUs!
* GNU copyright contributions
* Translations of the *Free Software Supporter*
* Take action with the FSF!
View this issue online here:
<https://www.fsf.org/free-software-supporter/2026/july>.
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Want to read this newsletter translated into another language? Scroll
to the end to read the *Supporter* in French, Portuguese, or Spanish.
***
### Commit to freedom
*From June 12*
The technology overrunning our communities isn't built for the benefit
of humanity: it's built so that billionaires can control us. Our lives
don't have to be this way. The FSF helps empower users with free
software, technology built through global collaboration, mutual
respect, and above all, freedom. Join us!
* <https://www.fsf.org/appeal>
### LibrePhone update, organizing locally, and more in issue 48 of the digital *Bulletin*
*From June 29*
Our user freedoms are in serious danger. From multiple different Big
Tech companies claiming they want to protect us while they steal our
rights, to governments working to pass anti-freedom laws, our user
freedoms are under attack. There are many concerning and downright
scary developments worldwide when it comes to user freedom, but if we
work together, there is still hope. The summer 2026 issue of the Free
Software Foundation's (FSF) *Free Software Bulletin* (or simply the
*Bulletin*), features articles about work towards freedom.
* <https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/2026-digital-bulletin...>
### Ten stories from around the world: LibreLocal 2026, part one
*From June 25*
This first half of the two-part report on LibreLocal 2026 will focus
on the LibreLocal meetups organized by ten dedicated community
members. Organizers hosted LibreLocals in cafes, bars, restaurants,
libraries, universities, a computer repair shop, and even as part of a
field trip to the System Source Museum, a museum dedicated to the
history of computing in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA. Read about some of
this year's LibreLocal meetups and get inspiration for your next free
software meetup!
* <https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/2026-librelocal-repor...>
### The Licensing and Compliance Lab: Informing and defending
*From June 24*
The Licensing and Compliance Lab, affectionately dubbed the Lab, is
just as committed to freedom as it was when founded over twenty years
ago. From its core work in defending the GNU General Public License
and answering licensing questions to recent developments in machine
learning, 2026 has been a busy year for the Lab. Check out the article
below for highlights of what the Lab has been working on for software
freedom over the past few months.
* <https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/the-licensing-and-com...>
### GNU Press Shop open now through July 19
*From June 15*
The shop is open this summer during our biannual fundraiser. From June
15, 2026 until July 19, 2026, we're carrying books (both technical and
philosophical), stickers, t-shirts, pins, and more. Whether you've
been eyeing something since the shop was last open or are checking out
the offerings for the first time, we'll include at least two free
stickers with every order. Check out our fun free software merch in
the shop!
* <https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/2026-gnu-press-shop-s...>
### Free Software Awards: Nominate a person or project by July 20
*From June 3*
There's no better way to show a member of the free software community
that you appreciate their efforts than by nominating them for a Free
Software Award. Whether you're new to the free software community or
have been around since the beginning, we ask you to take the time to
recognize a person or project committed to software freedom. By
nominating them, you send the message that you appreciate their vital
work. There was an issue with the forms (we are so sorry for any
inconvenience), but now that the forms are working again, **nominate
someone today. The deadline for nominations is Monday, July 20, 2026
at 23:59 EDT (03:59 UTC).**
* <https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/2026-free-software-aw...>
### DMA: Protecting device neutrality in Android devices
*From June 15 by the Free Software Foundation Europe*
The FSFE has submitted its position to the European Commission’s
Android interoperability consultation under the Digital Markets Act
(DMA), calling for, among others, the right to fully uninstall machine
learning-based features from Android devices, and access to
interoperability functions for developers free from Google’s
verification requirements. According to recent reports, Android has
been installing machine learning software on user devices without
consent or a clear way to remove it, against the requirements of the
European DMA. Choosing what software runs on your device is a basic
right, despite what Google and other Big Tech companies say. These
companies want you to believe that you have no choice but to accept
whatever they force on you and your device(s), but you do. Be vocal
and educate those in your social circle about how unjust this is.
* <https://fsfe.org/news/2026/news-20260615-01.en.html>
* <https://www.fsf.org/working-together/next-steps/free-soft...>
### The KIDS Act would require age checks to get online
*From June 24 by Joe Mullin
Within the next week, the United States Congress is preparing to vote
on the KIDS Act, a sprawling package of legislation that seeks to
control web browsing and private messaging for Americans of all ages,
despite its name. The package includes a revised version of the Kids
Online Safety Act, or KOSA, combined with a collection of other
internet bills, study bills, reporting requirements, and new
regulations. Age verification policies are promoted as being necessary
for protecting kids and teens online, but in reality these policies
force users of all ages to interact with nonfree, invasive programs.
If you live in the US, call your representatives and tell them to vote
no on this dangerous bill.
* <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/06/kids-act-would-requ...>
### Blast from the past as GIMP 0.54 is revived in Flatpak form
*From June 23 by Liam Proven*
You can now run one of the very first versions of GNU Image
Manipulation Program (GIMP), a cross-platform image editor, on modern
x86-64 GNU/Linux distros without the nightmare of finding and
installing its thirty-year-old dependencies. For most people, GIMP
3.2.4 is the best choice for image editing, with modern features like
edge detection and generative fill. But, if you're curious about what
it was like to use an early version of GIMP, or are simply a fan of
vintage software, give the 1996-era GIMP 0.54 a try.
*
<https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/06/23/blast-fro...>
* <https://www.fsf.org/working-together/gang/gimp>
### Vendor lock-in: It’s not the app, it’s the format
*From June 19 by Italo Vignoli*
When you are locked into a piece of software, where does the lock
actually live? The intuitive answer is “in the application.” You feel
trapped by the program — its menus, its habits, the license you keep
renewing. But the application is replaceable. You can install a
different one tomorrow. What you cannot so easily replace is your
documents — the years of contracts, records, reports, and
correspondence you have produced. And, if those documents are saved in
a format that only one company’s software can fully read, then the
lock was never really in the application at all. It was in the file.
If you're saving all your documents in a locked file format, it's not
too late to make the switch to a format that gives you control over
your own files.
* <https://fossforce.com/2026/06/vendor-lock-in-its-not-the-...>
* <https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/opendocument>
### June GNU Emacs news
*From June 30 by Sacha Chua*
In these issues: integrating difftastic into magit, M-x Research, and
more!
* [2026-06-01](https://sachachua.com/blog/2026/06/2026-06-01-emacs-news/)
* [2026-06-08](https://sachachua.com/blog/2026/06/2026-06-08-emacs-news/)
* [2026-06-15](https://sachachua.com/blog/2026/06/2026-06-15-emacs-news/)
* [2026-06-22](https://sachachua.com/blog/2026/06/2026-06-22-emacs-news/)
* [2026-06-29](https://sachachua.com/blog/2026/06/2026-06-29-emacs-news/)
### Join the FSF and friends in updating the Free Software Directory
Tens of thousands of people visit directory.fsf.org each month to
discover free software. Each entry in the Directory contains a wealth
of useful information, from basic category and descriptions to version
control, IRC channels, documentation, and licensing. The Free Software
Directory has been a great resource to software users over the past
decade, but it needs your help staying up-to-date with new and
exciting free software projects.
To help, join our weekly IRC meetings on Fridays. Meetings take place
in the #fsf channel on Libera.Chat and usually include a handful of
regulars as well as newcomers. Libera.Chat is accessible from any IRC
client — everyone's welcome!
The next meeting is next Friday, July 3 from 12:00 to 15:00 EDT
(16:00 to 19:00 UTC). Details here:
<https://www.fsf.org/events/fsd-2026-07-03-irc>
* <https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Main_Page>
### LibrePlanet featured resource: Activism Guide
Every month on the LibrePlanet wiki, we highlight one resource that is
interesting and useful — often one that could use your help. This
month, we are highlighting Activism Guide, which provides information
about how to advocate for free software and free standards. It doesn't
focus on the what but rather on the how. You are invited to help
update, adopt, spread, and improve this important resource.
* <https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Activism_Guide>
Do you have a suggestion for next month's featured resource? Let us
know at <campaigns@fsf.org>.
### June GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali featuring eighteen new GNU releases: Linux-libre,
Direvent, and more!
Eighteen new GNU releases in the last month (as of June 30, 2026):
* [apl-2.0](https://www.gnu.org/software/apl/)
* [binutils-2.46.1](https://www.gnu.org/software/binutils/)
* [direvent-5.5](https://www.gnu.org/software/direvent/)
* [freeipmi-1.6.18](https://www.gnu.org/software/freeipmi/)
* [gcc-15.3.0](https://www.gnu.org/software/gcc/)
* [global-6.6.15](https://www.gnu.org/software/global/)
* [gnutrition-0.33](https://www.gnu.org/software/gnutrition/)
* [gsasl-2.2.4](https://www.gnu.org/software/gsasl/)
* [less-704](https://www.gnu.org/software/less/)
* [libextractor-1.16](https://www.gnu.org/software/libextractor/)
* [libidn-1.44](https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/)
* [linux-libre-7.1-gnu](https://www.gnu.org/software/linux-libre/)
* [nano-9.1](https://www.gnu.org/software/nano/)
* [octave-11.3.0](https://www.gnu.org/software/octave/)
* [parallel-20260622](https://www.gnu.org/software/parallel/)
* [r-4.6.1](https://www.gnu.org/software/r/)
* [tramp-2.8.2](https://www.gnu.org/software/tramp/)
* [unifont-17.0.05](https://www.gnu.org/software/unifont/)
*For a full list with descriptions, please see:
<https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/2026-june-gnu-spotlight>*
For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu
mailing list: <https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu>.
To download: nearly all GNU software is available most reliably from
<https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/>. Optionally, you may find faster download
speeds at a mirror located geographically closer to you by choosing
from the list of mirrors published at
<https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html>, or you may use
<https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/> to be automatically redirected to a
(hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.
A number of GNU packages, as well as the GNU operating system as a
whole, are looking for maintainers and other assistance. Please see
<https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint> if you'd like to
help. The general page on how to help GNU is at
<https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html>.
If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like
to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see
<https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html>.
As always, please feel free to write to me, <bandali@gnu.org>,
with any GNUish questions or suggestions for future installments.
### FSF and other free software events
* July 16-18, 2026, Porto, Portugal,
[SECRYPT](https://secrypt.scitevents.org/)
* August 14-16, 2026, Manhattan, New York, United States,
[HOPE](https://hope.net/)
* August 1-4, 2026, University of British Columbia, Vancouver,
British Colombia, Canada, [FOSSY](https://2026.fossy.ca/)
### Thank GNUs!
We appreciate everyone who donates to the FSF, and we'd like to give
special recognition to the folks who have donated $500 or more in the
last month.
* <https://www.gnu.org/thankgnus/2026supporters.html>
This month, a big Thank GNU to:
* Alain Greppin
* Catalin Francu
* Colin Carr
* David Potter
* Deborah Jackson
* Logan Edwards
* Maks Romih
* Opus Qua Foundation
* Richard Zweiler
* Steven Morrealle
* The Anonymous Fund of Triangle Community Foundation
* Yon-Seo Kim
* Zacchae Us
You can add your name to this list by donating at
<https://donate.fsf.org/>.
### GNU copyright contributions
Assigning your copyright to the FSF helps us defend the GNU GPL and
keep software free. The following individuals have assigned their
copyright to the FSF (and allowed public appreciation) in the past
month:
* Adam Wood (GNU libstdc++)
* Chen Yaohua (GNU Emacs)
* Deng Jiajun (GNU Emacs)
* Gregori Mignerot (GDB)
* Joshua Murphy (GNU Emacs)
* Maximilian Cook (GNU Emacs)
* Mikhail Karpov (GNU Hurd)
* Paul Hsin-ti McClelland (GNU Emacs)
* Ruslan Kamashev (GNU Emacs)
* William Theesfeld Jr (GNU Emacs)
Want to see your name on this list? Contribute to GNU and assign your
copyright to the FSF.
* <https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#dev>
### Translations of the *Free Software Supporter*
El *Free Software Supporter* está disponible en español. Para ver la
versión en español haz click aquí:
<https://www.fsf.org/free-software-supporter/2026/julio>
**Para cambiar las preferencias de usuario y recibir los próximos
números del *Supporter* en español, haz click aquí:**
<https://my.fsf.org/civicrm/profile/create?reset=1&gid...>
Le *Free Software Supporter* est disponible en français. Pour voir la
version française cliquez ici:
<https://www.fsf.org/free-software-supporter/2026/juillet>
**Pour modifier vos préférences et recevoir les prochaines
publications du *Supporter* en français, cliquez ici:**
<https://my.fsf.org/civicrm/profile/create?reset=1&gid...>
O *Free Software Supporter* está disponível em português. Para ver a
versão em português, clique aqui:
<https://www.fsf.org/free-software-supporter/2026/julho>
**Para alterar as preferências do usuário e receber as próximas
edições do *Supporter* em português, clique aqui:**
<https://my.fsf.org/civicrm/profile/create?reset=1&gid...>
If you no longer wish to receive the *Free Software Supporter* in
English (but still receive other communications in English), you can
opt out [here][7].
[7]: https://my.fsf.org/node/75
### Take action with the FSF!
Contributions from thousands of individual associate members enable
the FSF's work. You can contribute by joining at
<https://my.fsf.org/join>. If you're already an associate member, you
can help refer new members by adding a line with your associate member
number to your email signature like:
> I'm an FSF associate member — Help us support software freedom!
> <https://my.fsf.org/join>
The FSF is always looking for
[volunteers](https://www.fsf.org/volunteer). From rabble-rousing to
hacking, from issue coordination to envelope stuffing — there's
something here for everybody to do. Also, head over to our [campaigns
section](https://www.fsf.org/campaigns) and [take action on software
patents](https://endsoftwarepatents.org/), [Digital Restrictions
Management](https://www.defectivebydesign.org/), [free
software adoption](https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Group:Freedom_Ladder),
[OpenDocument](https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/opendocument/download),
and more.
**Do you read and write Portuguese and English?** The FSF is looking
for translators for the *Free Software Supporter*. Please send an
email to <campaigns@fsf.org> with your interest and a list of your
experience and qualifications.
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