Im preaching to the choir with this, but I think its relevant for context: The reasons Im not using windows are ads, tracking, forced updates, AI "features", automatic reversion of your uninstalls/settings after updates, slow/buggy/bloated/vibe coded. These things are enough of an issue for me to the point that if an alternative didnt exist, I would not have a PC. That means linux and its future are a pretty big deal to me. Weve already seen some give into age attestation (shoutout to agelesslinux.org), there are debates being had about development practices (vibe coding), debates about incorporating AI slop features (weve already lost firefox there), hardware attestation would regretfully see some compliance given how age attestation went, etc. Does anyone else worry about the path linux could be on?
The biggest worry I see is laws appearing all over the world that demand ID verification, surveillance features or encryption backdoors that Linux developers and distributors aren't in a position to comply with. If it becomes a legal liability to oversee or contribute to a Linux distro, only those with the deepest pockets to pay lawyers will dare do so, and there will be intense pressure to corporatize its distribution. They won't be able to undo open-source licenses for existing code, but if using or distributing that code still gets you sued it could be a problem for all independent actors.
In this scenario I would hope the community takes development and distribution "underground", but even if such a solution existed it would probably no longer be interoperable with the rest of the worlds locked down garbage.