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Mozilla's petition against in-browser censorship law

The French government is considering a law that would require web browsers – like Mozilla's Firefox – to block websites chosen by the government. #tech #technology #firefox #mozilla #censorship #foss #privacy #cybersecurity #france #petition

https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/campaigns/sign-our-petition-to-stop-france-from-forcing-browsers-like-mozillas-firefox-to-censor-websites/

Sign our petition to stop France from forcing browsers like Mozilla's Firefox to censor websites

The French government is considering a law that would require web browsers – like Mozilla's Firefox – to block websites chosen by the government.

Mozilla Foundation
Aug 18, 2023 at 8:08pmWeb
Show threadbob_wileyAug 18, 2023
I wish I could show my support on a petition without agreeing to some generic privacy policy and handing over things like my email address.
Show threadpjhenry1216Aug 18, 2023
Email aliases. Firefox Relay is a good one. The free version is limited, but I found the Premium version absolutely worth it. I don't have to give my email address to anyone other than Mozilla (which I understand appears a bit redundant in this case) and they use it only for that specific purpose. And in this case, their "generic" privacy policy is a relatively decent one. I'd still use an email alias for this tbh (even though they already have my email), just for consistency sake. I basically use the aliases to organize my email at this point. Different aliases for different purposes. And the email address they have is a private one on my own domain that is setup on a different email server, so technically it's still once removed from my actual email.
Show threadChriszzAug 18, 2023
Damn what is happening in France
Show threaddual_sport_dork 🐧🗡️Aug 18, 2023
A couple of idiots are failing to learn from history, heads are preparing to roll. Just a guess. “Cracking down” on the French has never really worked.
Show threadrnercleAug 19, 2023

if they had the CRS and teargas back then, France would still be a kingdom.

don’t worry, no heads will roll

Show threadJJROKCZAug 18, 2023
The government is tired of people rightfully complaining and so is trying to build a cage around their citizenry to make them compliant. The rich of France are wanting it to be more like America so they can literally suck every penny out of the citizenry
Show threadrnercleAug 19, 2023
what a shame for France that the richest man in the world is a Frenchman now
Show threadcircuitfarmerAug 19, 2023
Show threadlando55Aug 18, 2023
I’m trying to reframe this in a way that will help me and others better understand; are the measures being proposed in this bill analogous to forcing auto manufacturers to build a car that won’t let you drive down certain streets?
Show threadhoodatninjaAug 18, 2023
That’s not a bad example. But my new one I’m testing is to say a TV that won’t let you browse channels you pay for.
Show threadkrayjAug 18, 2023
How are they going to stop people from downloading the source and modifying it and building versions of the browser that do not comply with that bullshit? Are they going to block French citizens from accessing the Firefox open source project entirely?
Show threaddansityAug 18, 2023
Laws are usually made by people far detached from what they are ruling on. In short: They have no idea.
Show threadTeppicAug 18, 2023

Except at it's core chromium is open source, and I can't see the FOSS community embracing the idea. The French also wouldn't be able to fully limit access to unrestricted browsers.

It's an all round dumb idea. Much easier and more effective to tell ISPs to do the blocking.

Show threadhyperspaceAug 18, 2023
Sure, Chromium is open source, but let's not pretend that the community has any say over Chromium's direction. Google is making the decisions, we're just allowed to watch
Show threadlolcatnipAug 19, 2023
I don’t think you understand what open source means.
Show threadhyperspaceAug 19, 2023
I think I do. The source is open, but that doesn't mean that the community decides what happens with Chromium. The comment I was replying to said that the FOSS community would not embrace Google's decision. I say that Google does not care about you. What are you gonna do about it, short of forking Chromium and going your own way, or maybe patching out their changes? Most people will stay on the unmodified Chromium
Show threadlolcatnipAug 19, 2023

If I maintain a piece of software and everyone decides they’d rather use my version than develop their own, does that mean I control it, or does it just mean everyone is happy enough with my work that they’d rather use mine than do it themselves?

I say that Google does not care about you.

I don’t see how that’s relevant.

What are you gonna do about it, short of forking Chromium and going your own way, or maybe patching out their changes?

I dunno, maybe use of the many other Chromium-based browsers from groups that are already maintaining their own forks? Or use another browser entirely? I do both, actually.

Show threadTeppicAug 18, 2023
And the chromium open source project while they are at it...
Show threadrnercleAug 19, 2023

what I don’t get is, they already do this through ISPs. Unless people use tor, they can’t see a site that’s blocked by their ISP.

so, why 🤷

Show threadahalAug 19, 2023
I think at that point it ceases to be Firefox. I guess the government could go after whoever is distributing the modified browser.
Show threadTheMadnessKingAug 18, 2023
IMO this even bigger BS that govts are pulling. They are attacking the entire stack: DNS, ISP & now f* browsers.
Show threadagent_flounderAug 19, 2023

And it’s not just France. The US has some bills that are full of fuckery.

I would not be surprised to learn other countries are at this same tomfoolery.

Show threadQueen HawlSeraAug 19, 2023
The US is doing WHAT?!?!
Show threadElPussyKangarooAug 18, 2023
What fresh new hell is this?
Show thread7777AKAAug 18, 2023
Is Brave affected by this?
Show threadJackGreenEarthAug 18, 2023
If brave is a browser, then yes.
Show thread7777AKAAug 18, 2023
Ah shit
Show threadgabriele97Aug 18, 2023
Signed. It makes absolutely no sense
Show threadtnek kralcAug 18, 2023
average day in fr*nce 🤮
Show threadPrettyFlyForAFatGuyAug 18, 2023
signed
Show threadMagneticFusionAug 18, 2023
Can we sign even if we are not French citizens?
Show threadgigachadAug 18, 2023
Well you can select any country while signing, so I would say yes. If France cares about that it another question.
Show threadQueen HawlSeraAug 19, 2023
Looks like you can, and it does technically effect everyone… Slippery slopes and what not, or people going “Hey France did this, let’s do it here.”
Show threadTakapapatapakaAug 18, 2023

Ok, if you want some info here is a little summary :

  • Banning people condamned for bullying/hate speech from every social media they used for it
  • Blocking websites (mostly porn) without judge’s approval, both physically and by forcing navigators/DNS to block it
  • More ID checking to “protect minor”

And if you want details :

The current proposition of law is a melting pot of many Internet security subjects :

  • preventing children to access porn
  • punishing websites that host pedo porn harder
  • punishing deepfake and ai generated montage (and montages in general)
  • preventing hate speech and violent speech in all social media, including chat applications
  • regulating the market of cloud storage providers
  • regulating gambling and real-money video games
  • preventing phishing

They have different actions at their disposal :

  • Fines for website admins who do not comply
  • Forcing websites to check people’s identity to prevent minor accessing harming content
  • Forcing websites to ban some accounts suspected of illegal activity
  • Forcing websites to try and block a suspected person (not the user) from using/creating any accounts on their website (for max. 6 months to 1 year)
  • Forcing navigators, DNS providers and Internet compagnies to block any access to a specific domain for max 3 months, if this domain does not comply in (short) time to the administration instructions
  • Forcing websites to mention the name and adress of any person or company that host their content
  • Forcing apps markets to remove an app that does not comply to the administration instructions
  • It would be mandatory for vpn ads to always display a message that says something like “Pirating contents harms artistic creation” (does not have a lot to do with the rest, but it find it interesting anyway)
  • It would be mandatory for any content sharing website to stock datas enabling the identification of anyone who participated in the content creation
  • Easier police raid in places where content is hosted (no judge approval needed, they just get notified of the raid)

Now, i did not hear from this subject a lot, mostly for the pornography part since we probably soon will have to show ID cards to watch porn. I remember that everytime there are more or less violent protests, government says it originates from social media and that they have to control social media to prevent violences. Most politicians i heard on this seem to not fully understand what is at stake, which is kinda usual.

Show threadEricHill78Aug 18, 2023
What happened to parental responsibility?
Show threadJumper775Aug 19, 2023
Does Mozilla really think their petitions do anything?
Show threadumami_wasabiAug 19, 2023
Maybe it doesn’t do anything, but not the reason to not do something.