I’m thrilled to sit down with Chloe Maraina, a trailblazer in the realm of open source technology and a passionate advocate for digital autonomy. As a key voice in the Free Software Foundation’s initiatives, Chloe brings a wealth of insight into the groundbreaking Librephone project, which aims to deliver a smartphone that’s 100% free from proprietary code. In our conversation, we dive into the vision behind this ambitious endeavor, the unique challenges of creating a fully open source mobile device, and the potential impact it could have on privacy and user control in the tech world. Let’s explore how this project ties into the broader mission of software freedom and what it means for the future of mobile computing.
Can you give us a broad picture of what the Librephone project is trying to achieve?
Absolutely. The Librephone project is all about creating a smartphone that’s completely open source, down to every last bit of code. That means no proprietary drivers, firmware, or hidden “blobs” that users can’t inspect or modify. Our main goal is to give people full control over their devices, ensuring they’re not locked into systems where manufacturers or third parties can dictate what happens behind the scenes. This ties directly into the Free Software Foundation’s mission of promoting user freedom, and launching this during our 40th anniversary is a powerful way to celebrate that legacy by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in mobile tech.
What sets the Librephone apart from other open source mobile efforts out there?
What makes Librephone unique is our uncompromising stance on eliminating every proprietary element. While other systems like GrapheneOS or PureOS have done incredible work stripping out proprietary apps or services, they often still rely on non-free components for hardware compatibility. We’re aiming for absolute freedom, which means reverse engineering and replacing even the tiniest bits of closed code, like firmware or drivers. This is a big deal because those proprietary pieces can be backdoors for surveillance or control, and getting rid of them ensures users have true autonomy over their devices.
How is the team approaching the development of this fully free smartphone?
We decided early on to base the Librephone on an existing system like Android rather than starting from the ground up. Building a mobile OS from scratch would be incredibly resource-intensive and time-consuming. Instead, we’re taking a familiar platform and painstakingly removing or rewriting every non-free component. This involves a lot of reverse engineering to understand how proprietary code interacts with hardware, then creating open alternatives. It’s a complex process, but it lets us leverage existing frameworks while aligning with our goal of total software freedom.
Can you tell us about the key developer leading this effort and their background?
I’m excited to talk about Rob Savoye, who’s spearheading the technical side of Librephone. Rob has been a part of the free software movement since the 1980s, contributing to major projects like the GNU toolchain. His decades of experience in developing open source solutions give him a deep understanding of both the philosophy and the nitty-gritty technical challenges. His background is invaluable for tackling something as ambitious as a fully free smartphone, especially when it comes to navigating the maze of hardware compatibility and proprietary code.
What are some of the toughest challenges you anticipate with this project?
There are definitely some big hurdles ahead. On the technical side, hardware compatibility is a major issue because so much of modern smartphone hardware relies on proprietary “blobs” to function. Finding or creating open alternatives for these components is incredibly tricky. Beyond that, there are logistical challenges like securing resources, coordinating development, and ensuring the end product is user-friendly. Our plan is to tackle these issues head-on by building a strong community of contributors and staying transparent about our progress, so we can adapt as challenges arise.
The FSF had a similar project in 2017 that didn’t pan out. How is this attempt different?
You’re right, we did try something similar a few years back, and it didn’t come to fruition. That experience taught us a lot about the scope of such a project and the pitfalls to avoid, like underestimating the complexity of hardware integration. This time, we’re approaching things with a more focused strategy, leveraging lessons from that earlier attempt. We’ve got a seasoned developer like Rob leading the charge, a clearer roadmap, and a stronger emphasis on community involvement to ensure we’re not just repeating past mistakes but building on them for success.
How does the concept of “full computing freedom” shape the Librephone’s goals?
“Full computing freedom” is at the heart of everything we do with Librephone. It means users have complete control over every aspect of their device—from the operating system to the lowest-level firmware. In the design process, this translates to prioritizing transparency and modifiability over convenience or shortcuts. It’s rare in today’s tech landscape because most devices are built with proprietary systems that lock users out of understanding or changing how things work. We’re fighting to make that level of freedom the standard, not the exception, with this project.
If the Librephone succeeds, what kind of ripple effect could it have on the smartphone industry?
A successful Librephone could be a game-changer. It would set a new benchmark for transparency and user control, potentially pressuring other companies to rethink their reliance on proprietary systems. Even if it starts as a niche product, it could inspire a shift in how people view privacy and ethics in tech, making them demand more openness from manufacturers. Beyond that, it might encourage developers and smaller firms to explore fully free alternatives, creating a broader ecosystem of privacy-first, user-focused devices.
What’s your forecast for the future of open source mobile technology?
I’m optimistic but realistic. I think projects like Librephone will spark more interest in open source mobile tech over the next decade, especially as people become more aware of privacy issues and data control. We’re likely to see growing communities around free software for smartphones, and possibly more hardware manufacturers willing to support open systems. However, it’ll be a slow climb—proprietary systems are deeply entrenched, and changing that will take sustained effort. My hope is that initiatives like ours pave the way for a future where users don’t have to sacrifice freedom for functionality.
