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Proprietary Coercion

Nonfree (proprietary) software is very often malware (designed to mistreat the user). Nonfree software is controlled by its developers, which puts them in a position of power over the users; that is the basic injustice. The developers and manufacturers often exercise that power to the detriment of the users they ought to serve.

This typically takes the form of malicious functionalities.

This page lists cases of companies that have announced concrete plans to implement malicious techniques to force users into obeying the company's demands.

If you know of an example that ought to be in this page but isn't here, please write to <webmasters@gnu.org> to inform us. Please include the URL of a trustworthy reference or two to serve as specific substantiation.

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Entries are in reverse chronological order, based on the dates of publication of linked articles. The latest additions are listed on the main page of the Malware section.