Software Freedom Podcast

By Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)News Technology Tech News

Software Freedom Podcast episodes

October 15SFP#57: Policy and EU: Why everyone should care about procurement!
SFP#57: Policy and EU: Why everyone should care about procurement!
It is Podcast Friday! For our regular episode of the Software
Freedom Podcast, Bonnie sat down with Alexander Sander, FSFE's
policy consultant to talk about procurement as its rules for
the public sector is currently under revision within the
European Parliament. The FSFE is pushing for a Free
Software-first approach.
In our 57th episode, Bonnie and Alex have a closer look at the
currently discussed Public Procurement Act, a key topic because
it determines how public money is spent, who benefits from that
spending, and whether citizens receive the services they need.
This act does not focus only on software, but on all the rules
governing procurement. It covers everything acquired for the
public sector, from chairs and security scanners to software
and hardware. Alex and Bonnie untangle all the details and discuss
what the act currently provides for a Free Software-first approach
and what lies ahead for the FSFE to ensure that Free Software is
part of the upcoming Procurement Act.

Take a break and join us to learn more about how procurement is going
to change within the EU and how the FSFE is supporting Free Software!
The policy work of the FSFE is an important part of building a future
where people can control the technology they use. You can support our work
by donating today!
Show notes
Support our work for Free Software
Stay up-to-date and join our Newsletter
Revision of EU rules on public procurement"
"Public Money? Public Code!"
European Parliament: Public Procurement Act
Proposal for a Regulation on the Public Procurement Act (PDF)
EU Transparency Register: Consultation Feedback from the FSFE
European Commission: Public procurement directives consultation
Public procurement
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and especially on the transcript
of the episode. Please, email us to: [email protected]. If you liked this episode and
want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us
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57 min
October 09SFP#56: Policy and EU: All about the DNA
SFP#56: Policy and EU: All about the DNA
Fall is finally here, and so is our next episode for the Software Freedom Podcast! In
this episode Bonnie Mehring meets with Dario Presutti, FSFE's project manager working on
different policy and legal topics. Together, they talk about software freedom and why the
Digital Networks Act (DNA) is an opportunity to gain control over the devices connecting us to the internet.
In our 56 episode, Bonnie and Dario have a closer look at router freedom, the Digital Networks Act (DNA),
and more specific the network termination point (NTP). The NTP is the point where the public network ends and
a user's private network begins. A point that nowadays is defined differently across EU member states. This has
created a patchwork of different rules and has left users' right to choose their own router uneven across Europe.
The DNA represents an opportunity to harmonise the different rules across the EU so the FSFE is currently advocating,
in Brussels, to ensure router freedom in Europe under this legislation. We want users to control their technology
and have router freedom across Europe.

Take a break and join us to learn more about the Digital Networks Act, the FSFE's work with European
policymakers, and how you can exercise and support router freedom yourself!
The policy work of the FSFE is an important part of building a future
where people can control the technology they use. You can support our work
by donating today!
Show notes
Support our work for Free Software
Stay up-to-date and join our Newsletter
Router Freedom
Digital Networks Act: the FSFE calls for strong and consistent protection of Router Freedom
Router Freedom tech wiki
Device Neutrality
Digital Markets Act
The Digital Networks Act
Net Neutrality – European Commission
BEREC – Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications
Dario Presutti, FSFE's project manager for policy and legal topics
We are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast
and especially on the transcript
of the episode. Please, email us to: [email protected]. If you liked this episode and
want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us
with a donation.
Discuss this
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32 min
September 17SFP#55: Policy and EU: Meet our Danish local group from Aarhus!
SFP#55: Policy and EU: Meet our Danish local group from Aarhus!
The Software Freedom Podcast for September is out! In this episode Bonnie Mehring
meets with Carsten Agger, the FSFE’s Danish Coordinator. Together, they talk about
the Free Software community in Denmark, digital sovereignty, and the growing interest
in Free Software within the public sector.
Carsten shares his journey about how he became an active FSFE volunteer. Take a break
and join us to learn about the founding of our Danish local group,about its current
activities and their future plans. Bonnie and Carsten discuss Denmark’s increasing
interest in digital independence, the role of Free Software in public infrastructure,
and their upcoming plans with the FSFE’s "Public Money? Public Code!" initiative.
Listen to our 55th episode to learn more about the FSFE's local groups and its activities!
The work of the FSFE and its local groups is an important part of building a future
where people can control the technology they use. You can support our work
by donating today!
Show notes
Support our work for Free Software
Stay up-to-date and join our Newsletter
Join the Danish FSFE Matrix chat
Keep Android Open
Carsten Agger, FSFE's Denmark Coordinator
Øjvind Fritjof Arnfred, FSFE's Deputy Denmark Coordinator and editor of the Software Freedom Podcast
"Public Money? Public Code!"
Local Aarhus FSFE group (online group)
Aarhus local group mailing list
LibreOffice - The Document Foundation Conference 2015
Dyne:Bloic (GNU+Linux Distribution or GNU/Linux Distribution)
We are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast
and especially on the transcript
of the episode. Please, email us to: [email protected]. If you liked this episode and
want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us
with a donation.
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44 min
August 13SFP#54: Policy and EU: Keep Android Open, what is the FSFE doing?
SFP#54: Policy and EU: Keep Android Open, what is the FSFE doing?
The Software Freedom Podcast is not going on holiday this summer! In our 54th
Bonnie Mehring meets with Jithendra Palepu to learn about the Android Developer
verification and how it may affect the Android operating system.
In 2025, Google announced that, for “security reasons”, apps installed on
certified Android devices would need to be registered by verified developers.
This controversial announcement has been widely discussed within the Free Software
movement since day one. The requirements will first take effect in Brazil, Indonesia,
Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026. Google then plans to expand the system globally, including to Europe, from 2027.
In our 54th episode we look into the background of this decision. Together we dive into the current activities of the
Free Software movement to safeguard software freedom on Android and outline the FSFE's steps to protect Free Software developers.
The policy work of the FSFE is an important part of our work towards safeguarding Software Freedom. You can support our work by donating today!
Show notes
Support our work for Free Software
Stay up-to-date and join our Newsletter
Keep Android Open
DMA: Protecting Device Neutrality in Android Devices
Google Android antitrust ruling shows the next battle is over who controls trust
SFP#46: Policy and EU: Can the DMA help Free Software developers working with Android?
Free Your Android
Apple’s Improved 6-Step Install Flow Proves That Scare Screens and Deceptive Design Undermine Competition
Digital Markets Act: Gatekeepers Portal
(Google blog link) A new layer of security for certified Android devices
Google compliance report mentioning registered app stores program
Android developer verification (Google youtube video)
We are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom
Podcast and especially on the transcript
of the episode. Please, email us to: [email protected]. If you liked this episode and
want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help
us with a donation.
Discuss this
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35 min
July 09SFP#53: FSFE is turning 25! Come and celebrate with us!
SFP#53: FSFE is turning 25! Come and celebrate with us!
Times goes by… Did you know the FSFE was founded in 2001, 25 years ago?
Of course, we have planned something for our silver anniversary! We are
dedicating a full episode of the Software Freedom Podcast to talk about
the celebrations and to invite, all of you, our listeners, to celebrate
with us. Find out more in our 53rd episode!
Ana Galán, who is the one in charge of the FSFE’s communication and one
of the event organizers, took a moment out of her busy schedule to talk
with Bonnie Mehring about the FSFE's 25th anniversary and upcoming celebrations.
Take a moment to find out how and when the FSFE will be holding their summer
meeting and marking this milestone.
For 25 year the FSFE works to safeguard Software Freedom. You can support our work by
donating today!
Show notes
Support our work for Free Software
Stay up-to-date and join our Newsletter
FSFE's current Activities
FSFE Timeline - Working for Free Software since 2001
The FSFE Team
[email protected]
We are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast
and especially on the transcript
of the episode. Please, email us to: [email protected]. If you liked this episode and
want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us
with a donation.
Discuss this
Join the FSFE community and support the podcast
19 min
June 11SFP#52: Policy and EU: Insights from the T-DOSE conference and the Dutch community
SFP#52: Policy and EU: Insights from the T-DOSE conference and the Dutch community
In our 52nd episode, we turn our attention to the European stages, this time going
to the Netherlands. There, on 6 and 7 June, Dutch volunteers and Free Software
enthusiasts came together for the 2026 T-DOSE conference, the heart and soul of
the local community.
The FSFE’s Dutch team not only supports the FSFE, but is also involved in organising
a local conference on Free Software. On this Software Freedom Podcast episode, Bonnie
speaks to Nico Rikken, a long-standing FSFE volunteer and coordinator of the Dutch team.
Through his voluntary work, Nico is a strong advocate for Free Software and is also part
of the core team organising the T-DOSE conference: a Dutch nationwide annual conference
dedicated to Free Software. Like many local conferences, T-DOSE has that special
atmosphere, that sense of belonging and community. Join us to get to know the Dutch
Free Software hackers!
In this episode, Nico and Bonnie discuss the Dutch Free Software community, with a
particular focus on the T-DOSE conference. Together, they discuss the challenges
facing local conferences and how the team behind T-DOSE plans to tackle them.
The FSFE's policy work is an important part of our aim to safeguard
Software Freedom. You can support our work by
donating today!
Show notes
Support our work for Free Software
Stay up-to-date and join our Newsletter
T-Dose, official webpage
T-Dose on Mastodon
Nico Rikken, Mastodon
Nico Rikken at FSFE
hpr4641 :: Technical Dutch Open Source Event (T-DOSE)
T-DOSE @ peertube
We promote and talk about 'open', but are we actually -doing- it enough?
Linux voor een beginner (Dutch only)
FSFE @ T-DOSE, 2014
T-Dose Live Stream
SFP#50: Policy and EU: How NGI wants to save the Internet and what's next?
FOSDEM conference
Angry Nerds Podcast at T-DOSE 2026 deel 1
We are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast
and especially on the transcript
of the episode. Please, email us to: [email protected]. If you liked this episode and
want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us
with a donation.
Discuss this
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29 min
May 14SFP#51: Policy and EU: The challenges for public code in public administration!
SFP#51: Policy and EU: The challenges for public code in public administration!
In this monthly Software Freedom Podcast episode we are talking with the Nordic Institute
for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS) and their X-Road, a Free Software well-used in public
institutions. Together with Johannes Näder from the FSFE, and Petteri Kivimäki (NIIS) we
discussed the current challenges that Free and Open Source Projects meet in public institutions.
With the SFP#51 the FSFE dives into the topic of digital sovereignty through Free Software
and the current challenges for Free Software projects in public administrations. X-Road,
maintained by NIIS, is a well-used Free and Open Source Software project in public institutions.
It is used in severral countries and has a stable development through the organisation with the
support of eight public bodies. Meanwhile, the FSFE's initiative "Public Money? Public Code!" is
gaining more attention and becoming a well-used phrase in political discussions.
Still Free Software is not yet adopted in all the institutions and there are several challenges
ahead for the Free Software ecosystem. With our 51st episode Johannes, Petteri and Bonnie take a
deep look at those challenges and how some could be overcome.
The FSFE's policy work is an important part of our aim to safeguard
Software Freedom. You can support our work by
donating today!
Show notes
Support our work for Free Software
Public Money? Public Code!
PMPC Brochure with X-Road
Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS)
X-Road®
X-Road (Github repository)
39C3 Lightning Talks Day 2 with X-Road
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We are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast
and especially on the transcript
of the episode. Please, email us to: [email protected]. If you liked this episode and
want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us
with a donation.
Discuss this
Join the FSFE community and support the podcast
39 min
April 09SFP#50: Policy and EU: How NGI wants to save the Internet and what's next?
SFP#50: Policy and EU: How NGI wants to save the Internet and what's next?
We reached our 50th episode of the Software Freedom Podcast! Thank you!
Without the support of our listeners we would not have made it this far <3.
In this episode Bonnie talks with Gabriel Ku Wei Bin, from the FSFE's legal
team about how the European Next Generation Internet initiative works to move
us in the right direction towards a human-centric web.
The Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative aims to build a more resilient,
trustworthy and open Internet. Through the NGI umbrella, the European Union provides
financial support to Free Software projects covering all layers of the Internet,
to improve user experience of the Internet. The FSFE team provides support to NGI0
grantee projects on legal and licensing issues, as well as helping them to become
REUSE compliant.
In 2024 a funding cut amounting to almost €26 million was announced, which marked
the end of the NGI initiative by 2027. The loss of this funding affects the
Free Software ecosystem and its ability to steadily build important foundational
technologies from the ground up. The Free Software Foundation Europe stepped up,
with the support of hundreds of people, to try to safeguard this funding, and managed
together with our consortium partners to find a new funding umbrella to continue the
work that was done under the NGI Initiative. But why is funding like this needed in
the first place? And what will be happening next?
In this episode, Gabriel and Bonnie talk about the reasons behind NGI and
how important it is more than ever to step up against the monopolisation
of the Internet as we know it.
The FSFE's policy work is an important part of our aim to safeguard
Software Freedom. You can support our work by
donating today!
Show notes
Support our work for Free Software
Interoperability regulation in the EU: Opening iOS and Android for Free Software
SFP#26: Policy and EU: the need of long-term funding and the NGI case
EU consultation confirms demand: long-term funding for Free Software is needed
Next Generation Internet Zero (FSFE's activity)
Next Generation Internet Zero (official webpage)
NLnet Foundation
The FSFE is helping to build an “Internet of Humans”
EC Public consultation: Digital economy and society
Evgeny Morozov, "The Net Delusion: the Dark Side of Internet Freedom"
The Matrix (movie) Wikipedia
Fred Rogers Wikipedia
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We are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast
and especially on the transcript
of the episode. Please, email us to: [email protected]. If you liked this episode and
want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us
with a donation.
Discuss this
Join the FSFE community and support the podcast
37 min
March 19SFP#49: O Captain! Let's talk about the FSFE Zurich group!
SFP#49: O Captain! Let's talk about the FSFE Zurich group!
For our 49th episode of the Software Freedom Podcast we invited Ralf Hersel and did our first
cross production with the Podcast “Captain it’s Wednesday” from GNU/Linux.ch. Ralf is part or
the FSFE Zurich group and the GNU/Linux.ch, a community driven news page about everything
related to Free Software and free society. In this general episode of the SFP Ralf takes us
through the many activities the FSFE local group in Zurich has been doing.
Together with Bonnie Mehring, Ralf Hersel takes us back to the six activities the local group has
either organised itself or participated in. He reflects on what went well and what could have gone
better as well as where the problems lay and the learnings as a local group organising and
participating in events. It is inspiring and amazing to see so much energy coming from a group
of volunteers!
But Ralf is not only very busy with the FSFE local group in Zurich.
Next to it, he is also an active contributor to the community driven news
platform “GNU/Linux.ch”. Over 220 authors contribute to the news page and share their
stories. In the Podcast of GNU/Linux.ch, “Captain, it’s Wednesday” over 100 people have
been invited to join over the years. This is the first cross-production of the Software
Freedom Podcast and you find the episode released by “Captain it’s Wednesday” here.
Get inspired by our latest episode and find out more about the FSFE’s local groups in Europe!
The FSFE's work aims at safeguarding Software Freedom. You can support our work by donating today!
Show notes
Support our work for Free Software
Community: FSFE's local groups
FSFE local group Zurich
Lernen wie die Profis (DE only) (Learn like a pro)
FediGov: Federated communication for public authorities
Digitale Gesellschaft Schweiz (DE and FR only)
Digitale Nachhaltigkeit, Matthias Stürmer (DE and FR only)
Das Netzwerk für eine souveräne digitale Schweiz (DE and FR only)
Captain it's Wednesday - Folge 172 - Ralf at Software Freedom Podcast"
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We are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, email us to:
[email protected]. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.
Discuss this
Join the FSFE community and support the podcast
47 min
March 12SFP#48: Policy and EU: From open questions and attestation, how the CRA is moving forward!
SFP#48: Policy and EU: From open questions and attestation, how the CRA is moving forward!
Once again Alexander Sander and Bonnie Mehring sat down for our monthly Software Freedom Podcast episode! The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) keeps us busy and there are still a lot of uncertainties around it. Take a break and listen to our latest Policy and EU episode of the Software Freedom Podcast.
Alex and Bonnie talk about the most pressuring questions from the community in regard to the requirements by the CRA. During FOSDEM a Q&A session was organised in the Legal and Policy DevRoom. At this session a lot of questions were pointed towards the role of the stewards and manufactures and what the CRA requires of them and what it does not. Together, Alex and Bonnie shed some light on the roles of Free Software developers and about the options the CRA has in stock for single developers. Followed by an outlook on what will come next in the CRA with the upcoming delegated act on Article 25, with option of attestation.
If you are a Free Software developer this is the perfect episode for you to find out what options you have and what lies ahead of you.
The FSFE's policy work is an important part of our aim to safeguard Software Freedom. You can support our work by donating today!
Show notes
Support our work for Free Software
Addressing your questions about the Cyber Resilience Act
Draft Commission guidance on the Cyber Resilience Act
CRA – Role of Free Software and Q&A @ FOSDEM
CRA in practice dev room @ FOSDEM
Could Compliance Costs Sustain FOSS? A Theory of Voluntary Attestations @FOSDEM
Implementing the Cyber Resilience Act - engaging with open source @FOSDEM
Cyber Resilience Act: Reception (Wikipedia)
Cyber Resilience Act, Art. 25, "Security attestation of free and open-source software"
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We are happy to receive your feedback on the Software Freedom Podcast and especially on the transcript of the episode. Please, email us to:
[email protected]. If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.
Discuss this
Join the FSFE community and support the podcast
29 min