Post #4272146

2026-07-31 08:15 UTC

@EUCommission@ec.social-network.europa.eu Moreover, you should think of something about phones and tablets with healthy hardware but outdated software. So many companies especially in China stop the software updates/upgrades after like 2-3 years. And moreover, they also make it too hard for the #FOSS communities to come up with alternative operating system for these devices. Some companies lock the device to prevent installing custom OS. Some other violate #GPL and they don't release the #Linux source code for their devices. Some release the GPL code with a 1 year delay. Which means FOSS community is 1 year behind to bring custom OS to the device. All of these contribute to #ewaste and they harm the planet. And many people are forced to buy a new phone/tablet every 1-3 years to get a newer Android version.

Replies (4)

@sourdoughstereo@pixelfed.social 2026-07-31 09:41

@farooqkz@mastodon.bsd.cafe@pixelfed.social Exactly this @EUcommission!Example: My LG tv from 2016 is still very very good on hardware specs, but software support has stopped a loooong time ago and it’s impossible to update or change the motherboard etc. There is a simple solution: force manufacturers to provide updates and upgrades for at least 10 years.

Open ##4284671
@Catha@masto.es 2026-07-31 10:11

@farooqkz@mastodon.bsd.cafe In those cases it saves you a lot of money to NOT buy a Chinese phone... There are already great EU alternatives at the market. Yes, some are double the price of a EU phone. But with a partly salt-battery and charging 1400 times instead of the big brand's 80/ times, and receiving updates for at least 5y.. these phones will in the end be cheaper. Unless you drop them dead of course. 😅

Open ##4284686
@The_ERROR@witter.cz 2026-07-31 10:56

@farooqkz@mastodon.bsd.cafe @EUCommission@ec.social-network.europa.eu yeah...unsupported devices should be stripped off any locking, both software or legal.

Open ##4299313
@marado@ciberlandia.pt 2026-08-01 23:56

@farooqkz@mastodon.bsd.cafe @EUCommission@ec.social-network.europa.eu Well they've got you covered - sort of: new rules mandate (at least) five years of software updates. More info: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/new-eu-rules-durable-energy-efficient-and-repairable-smartphones-and-tablets-start-applying-2025-06-20_en

Open ##4332853