Software Freedom Podcast

SFP#49: O Captain! Let's talk about the FSFE Zurich group! For our 49th episode of the Software Freedom Podcast we invited Ralf Hersel and did our first cross production with the Podcast “Captain it’s Wednesday” from GNU/Linux.ch. Ralf is part or the FSFE Zurich group and the GNU/Linux.ch, a community driven news page about everything related to Free Software and free society. In this general episode of the SFP Ralf takes us through the many activities the FSFE local group in Zurich has been doing. Together with Bonnie Mehring, Ralf Hersel takes us back to the six activities the local group has either organised itself or participated in. He reflects on what went well and what could have gone better as well as where the problems lay and the learnings as a local group organising and participating in events. It is inspiring and amazing to see so much energy coming from a group of volunteers! But Ralf is not only very busy with the FSFE local group in Zurich. Next to it, he is also an active contributor to the community driven news platform “GNU/Linux.ch”. Over 220 authors contribute to the news page and share their stories. In the Podcast of GNU/Linux.ch, “Captain, it’s Wednesday” over 100 people have been invited to join over the years. This is the first cross-production of the Software Freedom Podcast and you find the episode released by “Captain it’s Wednesday” here. Get inspired by our latest episode and find out more about the FSFE’s local groups in Europe!The FSFE's work aims at safeguarding Software Freedom. You can support our work by donating today!Show notesSupport our work for Free SoftwareCommunity: FSFE's local groupsFSFE local group ZurichLernen wie die Profis (DE only) (Learn like a pro)FediGov: Federated communication for public authoritiesDigitale Gesellschaft Schweiz (DE and FR only)Digitale Nachhaltigkeit, Matthias Stürmer (DE and FR only)Das Netzwerk für eine souveräne digitale Schweiz (DE and FR only)Captain it's Wednesday - Folge 172 - Ralf at Software Freedom Podcast"Stay up-to-date and join our NewsletterWe are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, email us to: podcast@fsfe.org. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#48: Policy and EU: From open questions and attestation, how the CRA is moving forward! Once again Alexander Sander and Bonnie Mehring sat down for our monthly Software Freedom Podcast episode! The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) keeps us busy and there are still a lot of uncertainties around it. Take a break and listen to our latest Policy and EU episode of the Software Freedom Podcast. Alex and Bonnie talk about the most pressuring questions from the community in regard to the requirements by the CRA. During FOSDEM a Q&A session was organised in the Legal and Policy DevRoom. At this session a lot of questions were pointed towards the role of the stewards and manufactures and what the CRA requires of them and what it does not. Together, Alex and Bonnie shed some light on the roles of Free Software developers and about the options the CRA has in stock for single developers. Followed by an outlook on what will come next in the CRA with the upcoming delegated act on Article 25, with option of attestation. If you are a Free Software developer this is the perfect episode for you to find out what options you have and what lies ahead of you.The FSFE's policy work is an important part of our aim to safeguard Software Freedom. You can support our work by donating today!Show notesSupport our work for Free SoftwareAddressing your questions about the Cyber Resilience ActDraft Commission guidance on the Cyber Resilience Act CRA – Role of Free Software and Q&A @ FOSDEMCRA in practice dev room @ FOSDEMCould Compliance Costs Sustain FOSS? A Theory of Voluntary Attestations @FOSDEMImplementing the Cyber Resilience Act - engaging with open source @FOSDEMCyber Resilience Act: Reception (Wikipedia)Cyber Resilience Act, Art. 25, "Security attestation of free and open-source software"Stay up-to-date and join our NewsletterWe are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, email us to: podcast@fsfe.org. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

Lorenz Kästle, a Free Software maintainer for monitoring plugins, keeps core monitoring tools healthy and reliable. He talks about the plugins' Nagios roots and the project's scope. He shares how he joined the team, motivations for improving code quality, testing challenges across systems, and ways the community can help with CI, docs, and testing.

SFP#46: Policy and EU: Can the DMA help Free Software developers working with Android? In this 46th episode of the Software Freedom Podcast, Lucas Lasota and Bonnie Mehring go into interoperability compliance under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and mobile phones. The podcast dives deeper in the compliance changes in Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Recorded at FOSDEM, this episode with Bonnie and Lucas dives into why phone interoperability under the EU’s Digital Markets Act still feels like unfinished business. Article 6(7) is supposed to force big platform “gatekeepers” to open up the same hardware and software features they use themselves, making it easier for alternative apps and services to compete. But the reality for developers is far messier. In this episode, we unpack how Android developers have been facing hurdles to get interoperability information within AOSP and why a developer-friendly enforcement is crucial for the future of digital markets in Europe.The FSFE's policy work is an important part of our aim to safeguard Software Freedom. You can support our work by donating today!Show notesSupport our work for Free SoftwareInteroperability regulation in the EU: Opening iOS and Android for Free SoftwareFOSDEM 26 - Interoperability regulation in the EU: Opening iOS and Android for Free Software (video)Is Interoperability Cool Again? PLAMADISO Talk (video) FOSDEM 2026 - An Introduction to Law and Free SoftwareMaking the Digital Markets Act Developer-Friendly - TechPolicyPressFree Software & Platform Regvulation (video)SFP#15: All about Upcycling AndroidFree Your Android!Stay up-to-date and join our NewsletterWe are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, send us an email to: podcast@fsfe.org. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#45: The final chapter of the EU Radio Equipment Directive What can be better while travelling to FOSDEM than to listen to the (hopefully) final chapter of the EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED)? In this 45th SFP episode Alexander Sander and Bonnie Mehring are discussing the RED with their former colleague Max Mehl. Together, Alex, Bonnie, and Max, unfold the history of the Radio Equipment Directive and the latest developments in regard to this regulation. The FSFE's involvement started when Max, back then in 2015 a working student for the FSFE, printed all the pages of this directive on the university printer and sat down to read through them word by word. In the document he marked the Article 3(3)i as problematic as it threatens the installation of Free Software on radio devices, like routers or smart home technologies. Since then, he continued to work towards safeguarding Free Software on radio devices. When Max took the next step in his career in 2022, Alex took over the work and continued, together with the help and insights of Max, to keep working towards software freedom and device neutrality, allowing users to install Free Software on radio devices. Now in 2025 the Radio Equipment Directive and the drafting of the delegated act for the Article 3(3)i have reached their final stage. Listen to our 45th episode to find out more! The FSFE's policy work is an important part of our aim to safeguard Free Software. You can support our work by donating.Show notesSupport our work for Free SoftwareStay up-to-date and join our NewsletterEU Radio Lockdown DirectiveActivation of EU rules on radio equipment for reconfigurable radio systemsDirective 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment and repealing Directive 1999/5/EC Text with EEA relevanceLegal Study on the Radio Equipment Directive’s Potential Ramifications for FOSS (May 15, 2019)33C3 Routerzwang und Funkabschottung: Was Aktivisten davon lernen können (DE only) Impact assessment study relating to software reconfigurable radio systems Joint Statement against Radio LockdownSFP#14: The world of mesh networking with Elektra WagenradRouter Freedom Activity by the FSFEThe Railways and Open Transport Devroom Legal and Policy DevRoomWe are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, email us to: podcast@fsfe.org. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#44: Policy and EU: Navigate through current relevant EU initiatives January is a busy month. We all come back from our relaxing (or in some cases rather stressful) holidays and what best to do with all the energy the New Year brings along? Of course, we have to advocate for Free Software! One way is advocating for the representation of Free Software in the initiatives the European Union is working. In our first Software Freedom Podcast episode of the year, Alex and Bonnie talk about the "Digital Decade policy program", the "European Open Digital Ecosystem" and the Procurement initiative that are open for consultation and awaiting your feedback. Alex and Bonnie help you to navigate the European politics. The FSFE's policy work is an important part of our aim to safeguard Free Software and help to further the implementation of "Public Money? Public Code!". You can support our work by donating.Show notesSupport our work for Free SoftwareDigital Decade policy programmeDigital Europe ProgramEDIC: European Digital Infrastructure ConsortiumFeedback from: Free Software Foundation Europe e.V.The European Open Digital Ecosystem StrategySoftware Freedom Podcast on procurement: SFP Policy and EU: The answer for a digital sovereign future must be Free SoftwareSFP#38: Policy and EU: Free Software Software Stack(s)39C3: c’t uplink: Digitale Souveränität – sind Häcker:innen jetzt fürs Staatswohl verantwortlich? (DE only)Stay up-to-date and join our NewsletterWe are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, send us an email to: podcast@fsfe.org. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#43: It is Youth Hacking 4 Freedom! Have you heard about this wonderful programming competition for teenagers from all over Europe? Haven't you? Join us to find out everything you need to know about "Youth Hacking 4 Freedom"! In our last episode for 2025, Alex and Bonnie talk about the FSFE's programming competition Youth Hacking 4 Freedom. They explain the competition, clarify eligibility requirements, describe what lies ahead for participating teenagers, and outline how FSFE supports them in overcoming challenges during the programming phase (which runs from 1 January to 30 June 2026). And of course, they give a sneak preview of the awards ceremony in Brussels for YH4F 2026! Find out all about Youth Hacking 4 Freedom and how to participate in this unique competition.The FSFE's youth work is an important part of our aim to safeguard the future of Free Software. You can support our work as a sponsor or with a donation.Show notesSupport our work for Free SoftwareFSFE's programming competition: Youth Hacking 4 FreedomRegistration for Youth Hacking 4 Freedom2025 Youth Hacking 4 Freedom: winners unveiled! Fuel the next wave of tech talent with YH4F, the FSFE’s Free Software competitionStay up-to-date and join our NewsletterWe are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, send us an email to: podcast@fsfe.org. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#42: Policy and EU: The answer for a digital sovereign future must be Free Software Although 42 is the answer for everything we tried to get it into helping us to achieve digital sovereignty in the public infrastructure. However there is an answer out there: digital sovereignty is only possible by empowering people and, therefore public institutions, to control their technology and own infrastructure. In this final episode of the Policy and EU Software Freedom Podcast for 2025 Alexander Sander and Bonnie Mehring talk about the revision of the EU’s public procurement rules. Together, they dive into the processes at the EU level and go through the current debates surrounding public procurement. They highlight the clear need for "Public Money? Public Code!" as an underlying concept in public procurement. Find out all about how we can achieve a infrastructure that is controlled by the public institutions. And why Free Software is the only way to achieve this goal.The FSFE's policy work is an important part of our aim to safeguard Free Software and help to further the implementation of "Public Money? Public Code!". You can support our work by donating.Show notesSupport our work for Free SoftwareFSFE's programming competition: Youth Hacking 4 FreedomRegistration for Youth Hacking 4 FreedomEU public procurement rules – revision Germany Stack: Only Free Software Enables Digital SovereigntySFP#26: Policy and EU: the need of long-term funding and the NGI caseStay up-to-date and join our NewsletterThe Linux InlawsWe are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, send us an email to: podcast@fsfe.org. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#41: Policy and EU: Recap of SFSCON Remember that from the 7 November until 8 November, the FSFE has been at the well known and established South Tyrol Free Software Conference (SFSCON) in Bozen / Bolzano? Together with more than 1,000 participants, the FSFE discussed the current topics in the Free Software ecosystem and had a special focus on the main topic of this year's SFSCON: Ethics. Alexander Sander was at the 25th edition of the SFSCON for the whole weekend and collected valuable impressions and insightful new ideas. Together with Bonnie he recaps the most important discussions and brings the spirit of the Italian conference towards you, our listener. For all of you who missed the SFSCON 2025, this episode will bring you right back to it, and for all of you who have not yet heard about this amazing conference, this is your chance to get to know more! Find out more about the challenges discussed in the Free Software ecosystem, perspectives on ethics, and much more.The FSFE's policy work is an important part of our aim to safeguard Free Software and help to further the implementation of "Public Money? Public Code!". You can support our work by donating.Show notesSupport our work for Free SoftwareSFSCON: A converence all about Free SoftwareEuropean SFS Award 2025Ethics and software freedomSFP#26: Policy and EU: the need of long-term funding and the NGI caseWhy Free Software needs secured long-term fundingI Love Free Software DayStay up-to-date and join our NewsletterThe Linux InlawsWe are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, send us an email to: podcast@fsfe.org. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#40: How to tackle Openwashing?It took us some time but we are finally there: The Software Freedom Podcast episode is releasing its 40th episode! In this one Johannes and Bonnie talk about Openwashing.Openwashing is a misleading practice of pretending that some software is Free Software even though it is not. Discover together with Johannes and Bonnie what Openwashing actually is, which strategies are used by openwashers, and – most importantly – how to counteract it. Find out more about how to support "Public Money? Public Code!" and help everybody to spot cases of Openwashing.In our 40th episode, you can learn more about the FSFE's policy work and how we as a charity advocate for software freedom. You can support our work by donating.Show notesSupport our work for Free SoftwareCLT25: Openwashing ans Licht! (DE only)SFSCON24 - Johannes Näder - Tackling Openwashers, Freeloaders and CuckoosZentrum Digitale Souveränität (ZenDiS)openDeskSurvey: Openwashing - Please share your views and experiences!"Public Money? Public Code": Read all about PMPCStay up-to-date and join our NewsletterWe are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, send us an email to: podcast@fsfe.org. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast