Intel's "redundant prefix issue"

Mask ROM (or OTP) hasn't existed in all but the simplest devices in the better part of two decades. These days, it's onboard (or directly embedded) flash that can be updated after the fact. This is a _good_ thing [1], especially for devices that need to be network-connected in some form (ie pretty much everything)

In practice, RYF ends up promoting absurd positions where they promote devices that can _never_ see Free Software firwmare over devices that at least have that possibility. They promote use of devices with known vulnerabilities [2] that can threaten the *user*. They promote use of a locked-down [3] cellular modem running a complete embedded Linux system over a wifi adapter that relies on firmware uploaded from the host. And so forth.

So, no, the FSF's position is completely divorced from reality; it's along the lines of thought that a brown paper bag somehow makes a bottle of alcohol "acceptable" in public because not being able to see inside it somehow makes it okay, even though everyone knows what's really in there. It's puritanical, performative nonsense that needs to be called out every time.

[1] Increasingly, this is legally mandated, as a manufacturer can be on the hook for flaws, even after the warranty period has expired.
[2] a CPU with microcode flaws that can leak secrets simply by visiting a web page is preferable to one that has its flaws fixed via a runtime-applied update.
[3] Locked down to the user, not the manufacturer. I guarantee every one of those devices is field-updatable, possibly OTA without user intervention. But since there's no user-facing mechanism to update the device, it somehow respects your freedom?