FSF launches campaign against Gmail

Sam Varghese
Friday, 13 May 2011 10:24

Opinion and Analysis

The Free Software Foundation has launched a campaign to educate users of Gmail how to do so without using the JavaScript that serves to provide a great deal of the functionality.

In a media release, the FSF said it had launched the campaign because "the vast majority of JavaScript programs do not respect your essential freedoms to run, study, modify and share them. They take control of your computer away from you; the same control we have been working for over 25 years to protect".

Given that nearly half the 40-000-odd supporters of the FSF have Gmail addresses, the FSF said it was "taking action to raise awareness about how to use Gmail without using proprietary software".

It said: "Many people suggest that you shouldn't use Gmail at all, because it means losing control over your data and privacy. The same concern applies to any other commercial email service. We agree that this is a very important factor for you to consider when choosing how you will handle your email.

"But if you are a free software supporter already using Gmail, or have friends and family members who are, please help us build momentum for change by doing so without allowing the proprietary JavaScript to run on your system - and helping others to do the same."

The FSF has drafted a letter that one can send to one's friends and acquaintances who use Gmail. It explains the drawbacks of using the proprietary JavaScript features that Google uses in its webmail system.

It has also drafted a comprehensive guide on how one can use Gmail without being exposed to these proprietary features that cause one to lose control of one's computer.