EthicalInfo

Revision 2 as of 2006-06-05 13:19:15

Clear message

Summary

Ubuntu has a clear policy on using open and free standards. Making provision of Skype, java (under current licence) and certain other software easy undermines this policy. Some software or services have poor ethical reputations. The purpose of this spec is to allow the user to make an informed decision about what they install, and to offer free, open and ethical alternatives.

Rationale

Some software encourages unethical companies. E.g. Yahoo and other companies have given information to the Chinese government leading to imprisonment of pro-democracy campaigners. Google censors the internet in China. To be consistently ethical, Ubuntu should inform users of problems with licences and ethics, NOT make installing alien applications ever easier, as is widely proposed. They are not in Ubuntu for a reason.

There are free alternatives or work-arounds for all commonly-used applications. The purpose of this spec is to allow the user to make an informed decision, not prevent them from installing or using 'bad' software. The information can be provided in a (relatively) non-judgemental, factual way.

Use cases

  • Jenny is a director of a charity who chose Ubuntu because she saw it had an honest and ethical basis. She was therefore surprised and discouraged by the fact that Ubuntu itself encouraged and enabled installing 'bad' software.
  • Gordy installs Ubuntu and faces the usual problem with mp3s and DVDs. He is directed to read information about why this is a problem (see other specs), but also reads in the same place that some of his IM networks do not keep his conversations secret. He is informed that Ubuntu offers alternatives, and which networks are private and confidential.
  • Dave downloads the Skype deb package from the skype web page. gdebi offers to install it but first provides warnings about propriatery protocols, and ethical information (or links to ethical information). He chooses not to install Skype.
  • Bob is new to linux and installs Dapper. After installation, he reads information on mp3 and DVD compatibility. He then chooses to run a 'wizard' to bulk convert his mp3 collection to ogg vorbis.

Scope

To begin with, popular 'difficult' application can be covered, particularly Word documents, Skype, Yahoo/MSN instant messaging

Design

Components:

  • Easily accessible documentation on these issues
  • Activation of this documentation on installing known alien software
  • Provision of easy routes to installation of acceptable alternatives
  • Opportunity to intercept and optionally cancel installation of bad packges.

Implementation

Warning boxes following the above actions. E.g.

"You have just installed Skype. This is not included in Ubuntu because: 1) The protocol is secret 2) Skype has tried to engage in anti-competitive practices, by limiting users on conference calls for non-Intel users. 3) Skype has provided confidential IM conversations to the Chinese government leading to the imprisonment of several people (http://etc.)

Ubuntu offers the following alternatives: Ekiga, Wengophone [links, etc.]

DO YOU WISH TO CONTINUE USING THIS SOFTWARE? [Yes/No/Cancel]"

Warnings should be provided about: List of Software

  • Skype

List of Networks/Protocols

  • Yahoo, MSN connection from GAIM etc.

List of Companies

  • Microsoft (sic), see bug #1
  • Skype
  • Yahoo

Packages Affected

  • gdebi
  • dpkg
  • (new Edgy welcome to ubuntu application/web pages/docs)

Code

Data preservation and migration

Outstanding issues

BoF agenda and discussion

References

CategorySpec