Free and Open Source Software

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Question for Muslims here (lemdro.id)

submitted 4 days ago by claim_arguably@lemdro.id to c/foss@beehaw.org

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cross-posted from: https://lemdro.id/post/38140147

I got into free and open source software, you can take an idea about it from fsf by watching the video https://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software

So, I have been in this rabbit hole for years now. And I convinced myself that using non-free software is haram and I shouldn't do it, however when I looked it up I found no discussion about it In Muslim communities anywhere, no fatwas about it. But how can that be, don't anyone else see big tech companies evil? Shouldn't Muslims use these free as in freedom software instead of Google and Facebook products? Shouldn't products by Facebook, openai and Microsoft and the rest of them be haram with existence of free alternatives that respect user privacy and freedom? Why there's no discussion about it at all?

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[–] 18107@aussie.zone 5 points 4 days ago

I personally think there is a (sometimes subtle) difference between paid software and harmful software.

Meta and X are definitely causing harm, but is something like Synergy? Sure, it costs money, but that money seems to be going to the developers. That would be no worse than paying a street vendor for food.

Likewise, finding an open-source virus and using it to hack people doesn't absolve you of guilt.

While many large corporations tend toward capitalism, corruption and even fascism, I believe there is a lot more nuance than just paid vs free or closed vs open source.