Debian Linux accepts proprietary firmware in major policy change

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Summary

Debian has always offered a choice of installation images that included proprietary software, but these were also labeled as experimental. The winning option, Proposal E, Choice 5, clearly stated it superseded the Debian Social Contract. In Debians case, one of the choices was to continue locking out proprietary software. As Leah Rowe, lead developer and founder of Libreboot and OSBoot, open-source boot and firmware, said, "Freedom is very much preferable and a world where everyone can use Free Software, exclusively, is to be welcomed. While neither has made an official announcement on the matter, it seems certain theyll continue to ship without proprietary code.

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