FCC Introduces Rules Banning Wifi Router Firmware Modification

[rumbero]

hackaday.com/2015/09/02/save-wifi-act-now-to-save-wifi-from-the-fcc

libreplanet.org/wiki/Save_WiFi/

Quotation: "The FCC has proposed rules (ET Docket No. 15-170) that will require device makers with WiFi and other Radio Frequency (RF) devices to cryptographically lock down the RF-controlling software on those devices so as to prevent users from installing the software of their choice. This means not only routers, but also many phones, tablets, laptops, and any number of new devices that are wifi capable would now be required to implement a low level DRM system that prevents users from re-flashing or modifying the operating system and/or firmware on those devices."

[ajkula66]

Thank you for posting this. There seems to be another major headache in the making courtesy of those who prefer to think for us...

[Temetka]

So no more custom ROM's on my phones?

Looks like I will have to start buying the international versions then.

[dr_st]

There is still time to respond. The justification of the proposed measures seems clear - customizing the firmware can often allow unlocking of broadcast frequencies, which may be illegal to use in various geographical locations. Of course, to deny the end-users hundreds of legitimate customizations because of one illegitimate one appears to be a clear case of throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

[rumbero]

Looks like I will have to start buying the international versions then.

Not sure what "international" should mean but, apparently, a similar strategy to restrict usage of open source firmware has already been decided by the EU parliament: www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Funkreg ... 03189.html (in German only).

This is the right way to go to make people only trust in retro hardware.

But the worst is that the grand majority doesn't care about such a restriction of civil freedoms.

[ajkula66]

But the worst is that the grand majority doesn't care about such a restriction of civil freedoms.

Indeed...