Entity Quote by Richard Stallman
“If the users don't control the program, the program controls the users. With proprietary software, there is always some entity, the "owner" of the program, that controls the program and through it, exercises power over its users. A nonfree program is a yoke, an instrument of unjust power.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Free Software, the End of Proprietary Control, 1999
Proprietary software gives owners unchecked power over users, limiting freedom and autonomy.
In simple terms: Proprietary software controls users, limiting freedom.
Key Takeaway
Prefer free software for autonomy.
Themes
software freedom
control
ethics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
ethical
technological
When to use this quote
- choosing operating systems
- open source contributions
- educational curricula
- government procurement policies
Key Concepts
proprietary software
user rights
digital autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- What freedoms do you sacrifice with proprietary tools?
- How can societies transition to free software?
A Different Perspective
Free software may lack certain commercial support or compatibility.
