this post was submitted on 16 Sep 2026
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Privacy
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No. But you CAN stop providing any online services to free software.
G already has been moving toward requiring a "trusted OS" to get past fucking recaptcha. It isn't rolled out yet. But it could be.
Linux can't stop that, b/c it can just be blocked from everything if the trusted OS attestation isn't present.
And hypothetically that reCAPTCHA could also serve as an ID of sorts:
.... That could be a pretty effective way to completely lock down the web. And then moving everyone back to time-sharing on rented terminals will be the final nail in the coffin for personal computing. If Big Tech gets their way, personal computing could be killed off by thin clients or terminal apps connected to a rented cloud server.
Good news, I already don't do that. But lots and lots of people do without any company involved at all.
Are you just not going to explain what "G" is?
It...doesnt have to?
You do it for every single thing you do online. The goal of many govs and big tech is to gate everything behind an attestation requirement. Everything.
That's the point. The initial move here is extremely weak attestation. You can just lie to it, or use an OSS OS. But they won't stop there. If everything gets gated behind strong attestation, then all those things become off limits to Linux. Sure, you can keep using your Linux box in your house. That cannot be stopped. But what CAN be stopped, is your ability to do anything whatsoever with it which requires the internet. Heck, even the ability to get a n/w connection can be gated.
No? I sure don't.
So you think everyone will just abandon free software?
You're still out to brunch I see
You still think there are things you can do on the internet that won't be affected by this
Are you actually naive, or are you being intentionally obtuse?
Free software will no longer work with anything important online for participation in society. Therefore it will never take off. Therefore all consumers will be herded into cloud-streamed software on little baby walled garden tablets and fed AI answers with system prompts instructing the model not to talk about sensitive subjects. What genocide in Gaza? The Gazans are HAPPY about the ceasefire! Trumps name in the Epstien files? Turns out Adam Schiff doctored the evidence, he was never in the Epstien files! America votes for Eric to be the next President! 1000 years Trump dynasty! You'll never get tired of winning!
Don't say anything bad though, or they'll fucking debank you
You sure do. I don't think you quite realize the possible implications.
Everyone? No. Ofc not. But most home users? Yes. If we ever see strong attestation gating requiring a "trusted" OS, then I expect most who use linux today would abandon it. B/c everything they want to do, won't work. But it will work with Android, IOS, Windows. Big-tech trusted platforms. Data centers and so on will be able to use Linux... by abiding the attestation reqs.
Ofc it won't be every single last person or every single use. There are offline uses for computers too. But normal ppl want to use online services with that laptop on their desk. They want to bank. Shop. Use social media. Etc.
I absolutely do not. I don't think you quite know what you're talking about.
I'm using Linux. I don't care what "most home users" do.
We are talking about Linux. Do you not know what Linux is?
At this point I begin to think you are simply a troll.
The point was that if those OSs work for the things normal ppl want to do, and Linux doesn't, then most ppl won't consider Linux as a viable platform, and will not use it. Under that possible future.
But you asked, and I am quoting you exactly,
My answer was to your question. It was not about YOU personally. You asked about "everyone", so I answered. You are welcome to not care what most ppl want. But the capability to deny your linux machine so much as basic network connectivity can happen. If you want to yank the network cable and use it in your house, and you are happy with that, then great.
If you want to engage in a non-troll manner, that's fine. But I will not reply to troll type responses any further.
Funny, I was just thinking the same.
Why wouldn't it?
I did no such thing.
In order for me to not use it, it would have to be abandoned by everyone. That was my point.
We literally had a whole thread about it, which you refused to participate in because "my machine works for me right now"
It's fine, whatever, if this is who people on this planet are then we've already fucking failed as a species
Oh, i just had to read further to get my answer, you're being a shithead on purpose.
I am not "being a shithead". I am trying to have a discussion. You, on the other hand, are being extremely rude for absolutely no reason, so goodbye now.