Comment by dns_snek
20 days ago
Android is not FOSS in any sense of the word and doesn't produce any user benefits that FOSS is meant to produce.
20 days ago
Android is not FOSS in any sense of the word and doesn't produce any user benefits that FOSS is meant to produce.
Most of AOSP is licensed under the Apache 2.0 license and GPLv2 for the Linux kernel. These are FOSS licenses recognized by the FSF.
https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#apache2
https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#GPLv2
Android is a proprietary operating system developed by Google. Try running your "free" modified AOSP in the real world, on a real device, like a real person would and see how far you get before being blocked and restricted due to hardware attestation.
I have been running AOSP-based LineageOS and now GrapheneOS for more than a decade now. While some apps are restricted to Google-certified operating systems, most are definitely not. I can use my countries eID apps and my banking app without issue. The only thing not working is nfc payments (since they are limited to Google Wallet)
2 replies →
AOSP is only a subset of what makes Android, an actual mobile phone OS.
I think that they are pointing at that using Android in daily life in a meaningful way requires installing Google Play Services because many apps require it.
I wouldn't say that means it's not FOSS, it just means things being FOSS isn't enough to ensure things are good.
1 reply →
And my point is throwing out all of AOSP because of that is throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Whatever other FOSS OS someone comes up with won't have Google Play Services built in either.
3 replies →
You can use microG which provides a lot of Google Play Service functionality.
2 replies →