On Thu, Apr 10, 2025 at 10:06:12AM +0200, Matthias Urlichs wrote: > On 08.03.25 15:36, Simon Josefsson wrote: > > One difference is that you could chose to trust their hardware (CPUs) > > but don't trust their software (non-free firmware). > > True. But so, again, what's the material difference between "the firmware is > baked into the hardware and cannot be changed" vs. "the firmware can be > updated"?
The manufacturer might fall prey for a hostile takeover by Evil Overlord (cf. Twitter/X). Or might decide to not not be evil anymore (cf. that other... whatsitsname?). Or State Agency A might lean on the manufacturer to start doing things. If you are in the firmware upgrade treadmill, the characteristics of your "contract" are definitely different. Now if you manage to hack your way into installing your own firmware, more power to you, but more and more this happens in spite rather than because of the manufacturer. Swords, edges and that :) Cheers -- t
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