*Please consider adding <[email protected]> to your address book, which
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*Read and share online:
<[link removed]>*

Welcome to the *Free Software Supporter*, the Free Software
Foundation's (FSF) monthly news digest and action update -- being read
by you and 232,316 other activists.

## TABLE OF CONTENTS

* May FSF40 challenge: Attend a LibreLocal meetup
* The FSF is looking for summer interns
* More than fifteen free software socials to be held globally
* FSF to hold free software hackathon in honor of its fortieth anniversary
* Free Software Foundation completes its board member review
* US Social Security Administration reverses freedom-impeding identity verification policy
* Interview with Mia Bajić
* Restrictions on our freedom to study software: A legal case study from Poland
* Google will stop supporting early Nest thermostats on October 25
* Microsoft Copilot shows up even when it's not wanted
* The European Commission wants a backdoor for end-to-end encryption for law enforcement
* April GNU Emacs news
* Join the FSF and friends in updating the Free Software Directory
* LibrePlanet featured resource: Making money as a libre software programmer
* April GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Twenty-one new GNU releases!
* FSF and other free software events
* Thank GNUs!
* GNU copyright contributions
* Translations of the *Free Software Supporter*
* Take action with the FSF!

View this issue online here:
<[link removed]>

Encourage your friends to subscribe and help us build an audience by
adding our subscriber widget to your website.

* Subscribe: <[link removed]>
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Want to read this newsletter translated into another language? Scroll
to the end to read the *Supporter* in French or Spanish.

***

### May FSF40 challenge: Attend a LibreLocal meetup

Every month during our fortieth anniversary year, we're inviting free
software supporters everywhere to join us in celebrating #FSF40. For
this month's challenge, we're encouraging you to participate in
[LibreLocal][1] month by attending a meetup near you (even if it's
just you and one other person). If you can't take part in this
#FSF40Challenge, fear not -- we've got seven more coming.

[1]: [link removed]

If you feel comfortable disclosing which meetup you're attending, tag
#FSF40 on [social media][2] and let us know!

[2]: [link removed]

Have an idea for a challenge? Send us a message at
<[email protected]>!

Instead of hosting a single LibrePlanet conference, we're making 2025
a libre year! Check back often for more details about what we're doing
to honor [forty years of fighting for user freedom][4].

[4]: [link removed]

### The FSF is looking for summer interns

The application period for summer interns at the FSF is now open! If
you are a student and interested in supporting #FreeSoftware,
consider applying for an FSF internship by the May 15th deadline:
<[link removed]>.


### More than fifteen free software socials to be held globally

*From April 15*

In January, the FSF launched a call to organize local community
meetups and claimed the month of May as LibreLocal Month. Since the
publication of this article, a total of seventeen LibreLocal events
have been announced with more forthcoming. These events will be held
in multiple countries with the help of the FSF, with the majority happening in
May. Everyone interested in free (libre) software is invited to
participate, regardless of prior experience with free software.
LibreLocal Month is one of the organization's initiatives for the free
software community to participate in celebrating its fortieth
anniversary.

* <[link removed]>


### FSF to hold free software hackathon in honor of its fortieth anniversary

*From April 29*

Since announcing festivities for its fortieth celebration, the FSF has
hinted at hosting a hackathon. These plans have now been confirmed and
the FSF is looking for projects to participate in the online November
hackathon! As of now, GNU Guix, GNU Boot, MediaGoblin, and the Free
Software Directory have announced that they will submit a project. The
hackathon is open to *everyone*, regardless of programming skill level,
and is focused on making small but measurable improvements to free
software. If you're interested in participating, review the hackathon
guidelines and submit your project through the web form in the article
below.

* <[link removed]>


### Free Software Foundation completes its board member review

*From April 30*

At the most recent FSF board meeting, the FSF board completed the
review and re-confirmation of five sitting board members. This latest
governance improvement milestone puts the FSF very close to fulfilling its
promises made to the free software community four years ago. Read on
for more information on this most recent part of the board process.

* <[link removed]>


### US Social Security Administration reverses freedom-impeding identity verification policy

*From April 17*

In mid-March, the US Social Security Administration (SSA) announced an
end to completing any processes that require proof of identity over
the phone. Had this policy rolled out as originally planned, it would
have forced people eligible for social security to choose between
traveling to a possibly distant SSA office or running nonfree
JavaScript. Everyone eligible for social security ought to be able to
claim the benefits that belong to them in freedom, and they deserve to
claim these benefits with ease. If you'd like to advocate for claiming
social security benefits in freedom, check out and modify our script
to the SSA.

* <[link removed]>


### Interview with Mia Bajić

*From April 10*

In the FSF's most recent edition of its *Working Together* series,
program manager Miriam Bastian interviewed Mia Bajić, a software
engineer with a passion for building communities. Mia is mainly active
in the European Python community. In the interview, Mia talked about
her experience organizing events for the Python community in Prague
and in the European Union as a whole. You can learn more about Mia's
role in organizing the Python community and advice she has for other
community organizers below.

* <[link removed]>


### Restrictions on our freedom to study software: A legal case study from Poland

*From April 7 by Free Software Foundation Europe*

Software is a major component of modern life, not just in the
computers we use for work and hobbies but also in our transportation
machines. With software that runs in our cars and trains, the ability
to control that technology becomes not only a matter of justice, but
also public safety. While the need for free software in transportation
is quite clear to free software advocates, it is less so in many legal
systems, some of which even work against user freedom. Below you can
read about a recent court case in Poland which highlights how the law
can work against both user freedom and public safety.

* <[link removed]>


### Google will stop supporting early Nest thermostats on October 25

*From April 25 by Ryan Whitwam*

An expiration date for a loaf of bread is expected (and appreciated),
but what about an expiration date for a device that's still working
perfectly? Beginning October 25, 2025, Google will cease support for
devices built and sold prior to Google ownership of Nest thermostat in
the Nest and Home apps, effectively transforming them into regular
dumb thermostats. When a device relies on proprietary software to run,
there is no guarantee that the software provider may decide at some
point to stop maintaining the software or even sell it to another
organization, as was the case for Nest Labs Inc. in 2014. If free
software had been used in Nest devices, users could write updates
themselves (or ask someone else to). You can learn more about what the
lack of freedom and control over older Nest thermostats means in the
article below.

* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>


### Microsoft Copilot shows up even when it's not wanted

*From April 18 by Thomas Claburn*

Vampires aren't just found in movies but also in proprietary software.
According to recent reports, Microsoft's Copilot keeps rising from the
dead, no matter how many times some users have tried to turn off the
program. This issue of being unable to turn off a machine learning
program (and keep it from using your work and information without your
consent) is alarming. It is also but one of many freedom-related
problems with proprietary operating systems like Windows. Microsoft
claims this is a bug (which it very well could be), but the simple
fact remains that a computer with Windows installed cannot be
controlled by its user. If you or someone you know has Windows
installed and is frustrated by the blatant disrespect shown by
Microsoft for its users and freedom, now might be a good time to look
into a free operating system.

* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>


### The European Commission wants a backdoor for end-to-end encryption for law enforcement

*From April 2 by Ellen Jennings-Trace*

At the very end of March, the European Commission unveiled a security
strategy (ProtectEU) that would involve leaving open a backdoor to
encrypted data for law enforcement. While it can't be said how
accurate the EU Commission's claims of "guarantee[ed] security for
its citizens," we can say with adequate certainty that it will rip
away freedom from millions and likely put individual security and
privacy in danger as well. No level of security, even a guarantee, is
worth trading for freedom. This policy, which would mostly affect EU
residents, is a dangerous precedent for democratic nations. We
recommend staying informed about EU Commission steps around this
prospective policy.

* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>


### April GNU Emacs news

*From April 30 by Sacha Chua*

In these issues: configuring language servers dynamically, maintaining
Emacs histories, and more!

* [2025-04-28]([link removed])
* [2025-04-21]([link removed])
* [2025-04-14]([link removed])
* [2025-04-07]([link removed])


### Join the FSF and friends in updating the Free Software Directory

Tens of thousands of people visit directory.fsf.org each month to
discover free software. Each entry in the Directory contains a wealth
of useful information, from basic category and descriptions to version
control, IRC channels, documentation, and licensing. The Free Software
Directory has been a great resource to software users over the past
decade, but it needs your help staying up-to-date with new and
exciting free software projects.

To help, join our weekly IRC meetings on Fridays. Meetings take place
in the #fsf channel on Libera.Chat and usually include a handful of
regulars as well as newcomers. Libera.Chat is accessible from any IRC
client -- Everyone's welcome!

The next meeting is Friday, May 2 from 12:00 to 15:00 EDT (16:00 to
19:00 UTC). Details here:
<[link removed]>

* <[link removed]>


### LibrePlanet featured resource: Making money as a libre software programmer

Every month on [the LibrePlanet
wiki]([link removed]), we highlight one
resource that is interesting and useful -- often one that could use
your help.

For this month, we are highlighting the making money as a libre
software programmer page. This page covers some ways that you can make
money while respecting user freedom, including case studies that
exemplify each business model. You are invited to adopt, spread and
improve this important resource.

* <[link removed]>

Do you have a suggestion for next month's featured resource? Let us
know at <[email protected]>.


### April GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Twenty-one new GNU releases!

Twenty-one new GNU releases in the last month (as of April 30, 2025):

* [bash-5.3-rc1]([link removed])
* [chess-6.2.11]([link removed])
* [coreutils-9.7]([link removed])
* [datamash-1.9]([link removed])
* [diffutils-3.12]([link removed])
* [electric-9.08]([link removed])
* [gawk-5.3.2]([link removed])
* [gcc-15.1.0]([link removed])
* [gcl-2.7.1]([link removed])
* [gdb-16.3]([link removed])
* [gnunet-0.24.1]([link removed])
* [gperf-3.3]([link removed])
* [grep-3.12]([link removed])
* [gzip-1.14]([link removed])
* [libsigsegv-2.15]([link removed])
* [nano-8.4]([link removed])
* [parallel-20250422]([link removed])
* [r-4.5.0]([link removed])
* [readline-8.3-rc1]([link removed])
* [shepherd-1.0.4]([link removed])
* [unifont-16.0.03]([link removed])

*For a full list with descriptions, please see:
<[link removed]>*

For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu
mailing list: <[link removed]>.

To download: nearly all GNU software is available most reliably from
<[link removed]>. Optionally, you may find faster download
speeds at a mirror located geographically closer to you by choosing
from the list of mirrors published at
<[link removed]>, or you may use
<[link removed]> to be automatically redirected to a
(hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.

A number of GNU packages, as well as the GNU operating system as a
whole, are looking for maintainers and other assistance. Please see
<[link removed]> if you'd like to
help. The general page on how to help GNU is at
<[link removed]>.

If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like
to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see
<[link removed]>.

As always, please feel free to write to me, <[email protected]>,
with any GNUish questions or suggestions for future installments.


### FSF and other free software events

* May, 2025 in-person worldwide and online, [LibreLocal month]([link removed])
* May 1, 2025, META SPACE Coffee & Bar, Beijing, China [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 1, 2025, Chennai, India [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 1, 2025, J a Cafe, Shanghai, China [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 2, 2025, Artisan's Asylum, Boston, Massachusetts [Community meetup](link)
* May 3, 2025, Carnegie Public Library, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 3, 2025, Tunis, Tunisia [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 4, 2025, Lviv, Ukraine [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 5, 2025, Online, Turkey [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 7, 2025, Witzenhausen, Germany [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 8-9, 2025, Shiraz, Iran [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 10, 2025, Livermore Public Library, Livermore, California [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 10, 2025, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 12, 2025, Victory Cafe, Toronto, Canada [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 17, 2025, Le Blanc, France [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 17, 2025, Hellenic IT Museum, Athens, Greece [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 17, 2025, Bitwäscherei, Zurich, Switzerland [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 23, 2025, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 29, 2025, Warsaw, Poland [Community meetup]([link removed])
* June 5-8, 2025, Vienna House by Wyndham Andel's Prague, Prague, Czech Republic [Flock to Fedora]([link removed])
* June 11-13, 2025, Deusto University: Bilbao Campus, Bilbao, Spain [SECRYPT]([link removed])
* June 13-15, 2025, Sheraton Charlotte Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina [SouthEast LinuxFest]([link removed])
* June 20-22, 2025, Lloyd Center Mall, Portland, Oregon [Teardown]([link removed])
* June 23-25, 2025, Denver, Colorado [OSSNA]([link removed])
* August 4-September 7, 2025, online FSF Free Software Every Day photo contest (*details to be announced*)
* August 15-17, 2025, Queens, New York [HOPE]([link removed])
* November, 2025, FSF hackathon (*details to be announced*)
* October 3-4, 2025, University of Texas, Austin, Texas [Texus Linux Festival]([link removed])
* October 4, 2025, FSF40 celebration (*details to be announced*)
* October 4, 2025, FSF40 trivia night (*details to be announced*)
* October 4, 2025, Harbin, China [Community meetup]([link removed])


### Thank GNUs!

We appreciate everyone who donates to the Free Software Foundation,
and we'd like to give special recognition to the folks who have
donated $500 or more in the last month.

* <[link removed]>

This month, a big Thank GNU to:

* Edward Flick
* Joseph Pingenot
* Katherine Brady
* Meng Guang
* Pedro Bueno
* Raffael Stocker
* Szymon Ruta

You can add your name to this list by donating at
<[link removed]>.


### GNU copyright contributions

Assigning your copyright to the Free Software Foundation helps us
defend the GNU GPL and keep software free. The following individuals
have assigned their copyright to the FSF (and allowed public
appreciation) in the past month:

* Jacinto Roi Martin Pequeño (GNU emacs)

Want to see your name on this list? Contribute to GNU and assign your
copyright to the FSF.

* <[link removed]>


### Translations of the *Free Software Supporter*

El *Free Software Supporter* está disponible en español. Para ver la
versión en español haz click aquí:
<[link removed]>

**Para cambiar las preferencias de usuario y recibir los próximos
números del *Supporter* en español, haz click aquí:**
<[link removed]>

Le *Free Software Supporter* est disponible en français. Pour voir la
version française cliquez ici:
<[link removed]>

**Pour modifier vos préférences et recevoir les prochaines
publications du *Supporter* en français, cliquez ici:**
<[link removed]>

If you no longer wish to receive the *Free Software Supporter* in
English (but still receive other communications in English), you can
opt out [here][5].

[5]: [link removed]


### Take action with the FSF!

Contributions from thousands of individual associate members enable
the FSF's work. You can contribute by joining at
<[link removed]>. If you're already a member, you can help
refer new members by adding a line with your member number to your
email signature like:

> I'm an FSF member -- Help us support software freedom!
> <[link removed]>

The FSF is always looking for
[volunteers]([link removed]). From rabble-rousing to
hacking, from issue coordination to envelope stuffing -- there's
something here for everybody to do. Also, head over to our [campaigns
section]([link removed]) and [take action on software
patents]([link removed]), [Digital Restrictions
Management]([link removed]), [free
software adoption]([link removed]),
[OpenDocument]([link removed]),
and more.

**Do you read and write Portuguese and English?** The FSF is looking
for translators for the *Free Software Supporter*. Please send an
email to <[email protected]> with your interest and a list of your
experience and qualifications.
--
Interested in helping us expand our reach?

* Follow us on Mastodon at <[link removed]> and PeerTube at <[link removed]>, showing your support for federated social networks.
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* Subscribe to our RSS feeds: <[link removed]>.
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Read our Privacy Policy: <[link removed]>.

Sent from the Free Software Foundation,

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# 960789
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You can unsubscribe from this mailing list by visiting

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