Free Software as a Human Right
Wed, 13 Nov 2024
A Note on Terminology: In this blog post, I'll explore the concept of free software through the lens of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. To draw explicit connections between the principles of the Declaration and the freedoms inherent in free software, I'll use language and framing that aligns with the UN document, even if it differs from how I typically discuss these issues. This approach shows one possible way to connect software freedom as a fundamental human right and its importance in upholding the values enshrined in the Declaration.
Imagine a world where every book you read could only be accessed with the publisher's permission, where you couldn't lend it to a friend or use it for any purpose, like propping up a table, without their approval. This is the reality we face with much of today's software. Proprietary software restricts our rights to use, study, change, and share the tools we often depend on.
While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted before personal computers and the Internet, its principles are timeless. A closer look reveals that this foundational document can and should be interpreted to include software freedom as a fundamental human right, essential for protecting freedom of expression, our right to participate in cultural life, and our access to education in the digital age.
Article 19 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This has traditionally been understood to protect our ability to speak, write, and share information without interference. But in our increasingly digital world, "expression" extends far beyond the printed word.
In our increasingly digital world, software is not merely a set of instructions for a machine; it's a powerful medium for expressing ideas and communicating. Software shapes how we communicate, learn, and interact with the world, from the code to the applications it enables.
Proprietary software acts as a barrier to this idea of free expression. Denying access to the source code prevents people from examining, modifying, and sharing the software, hindering the rights guaranteed in Article 19.
Article 27 of the UN Declaration states that "everyone has the right freely to participate in the community's cultural life, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits." This right recognizes the importance of culture in human development and the need for individuals to engage in its creation and evolution actively.
In the 21st century, software has become an integral part of our cultural landscape. From the films we watch and the music we listen to to the games we play and the social networks we engage with, software shapes how we experience and interact with culture.
To truly participate in digital culture, we need more than just the ability to use software; we need access to its underlying source code. This access allows us to understand how the software works, empowers us to adapt it to our needs and contributes to its development. It's a form of digital literacy that puts us in control of our computing.
Proprietary software, where the source code is kept secret, creates a barrier to entry for those who want to engage with and contribute to digital culture. This exclusionary practice is not just a technical issue; it's a social injustice that goes against the spirit of Article 27, which emphasizes everyone's right to participate in cultural life. It's time to challenge this injustice and demand software freedom for all.
Article 26 of the UN Declaration proclaims that "everyone has the right to education." It further emphasizes that education should be directed to "the full development of the human personality and the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms." In the digital age, this right to education must encompass the right to understand and learn from the technology that increasingly shapes our lives.
Software is no longer a mere tool; it's a fundamental building block of modern society. It underpins our communication systems, financial institutions, healthcare systems, and more. To be educated citizens in the 21st century, we must understand how software works and impacts our lives.
Proprietary software prevents us from gaining this essential knowledge by keeping its source code secret. It treats software as a black box, denying us the opportunity to learn from it, critically examine it, and understand its potential implications.
Denying access to source code is akin to restricting access to textbooks or forbidding students from dissecting a frog in biology class. It hinders our ability to learn, explore, and develop a critical understanding of the world. This violates our right to education, as enshrined in Article 26.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a cornerstone of modern civilization, outlines the fundamental freedoms that every individual is entitled to. As we have explored, these freedoms - the freedom of expression, the right to participate in cultural life, and the right to education - are intrinsically linked to our ability to access, understand, and modify the software that increasingly shapes our world. In the digital age, these rights can only be fully realized through software freedom.
Proprietary software, with its restrictions on access to source code, its limitations on use and modification, and its control over the flow of information, directly undermines the principles enshrined in the UN Declaration.
It does not matter if but when we recognize software freedom as a fundamental human right. The future of our digital society depends on it. We need to ensure that the rights and freedoms outlined in the UN Declaration remain relevant and effective in the digital age. The time to act is now.
The future of our digital society depends on our commitment to software freedom. I urge you to support free software initiatives, advocate for policies that promote free software, and demand that software respect our fundamental rights. Let's work together and embrace software freedom as a cornerstone of human rights in the 21st century and build a future where technology serves humanity, not the other way around.