2026-07-10 –, Idea Stage
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) advocates for a society where users are empowered to control technology and have full control over their devices through Free Software. This talk outlines three key FSFE initiatives, Device Neutrality, Router Freedom, and the Next Generation Internet project, aimed at countering the growing dominance of big tech and empowering users and policymakers alike.
What will the Internet of the future look like? Will we have full control over our devices? The Free Software Foundation Europe envisions an Internet that is accessible and diverse, and respects fundamental rights. We envision a society where everyone has full control over their devices. We believe that Free Software is key to accomplishing this vision, so that all people, regardless of their background, are able to use the Internet as an effective tool to achieve their full potential.
However, there are several hurdles in the way of achieving that. Big tech and market concentration are two of the most serious threats to a decentralised Internet and free devices. This talk will guide you through several initiatives the FSFE has been conducting in the last years to overcome these challenges, such as:
Device Neutrality: Our digital devices should be neutral concerning the software we run on them. Device manufacturers and vendors should not dictate which software we should run. Instead, we should be empowered to enjoy software freedom in our devices. This talk will focus on how interoperability can be a tool to break tech monopolies and how the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a recent law aimed at levelling the playing field between big tech and small tech, plays a role in that. The FSFE has been working with policymakers to enforce this law in a Free Software-friendly way, empowering them with different tools which the presentation will introduce.
Router Freedom: People should have the same freedom to choose their home networking devices as they do when buying a mobile phone, yet some European Internet providers force customers to use specific hardware or penalise those with alternative routers. We will delve into the latest developments of Router Freedom in Europe and will highlight the work the FSFE has been doing to protect European users.
The Next Generation Internet: Finally, we will dive into the project funded by the EU that aims to change the landscape of the Internet with Free Software. With more than 400 software projects working in several key areas of the Internet, the NGI is a bold initiative to develop alternatives that are not dependent on the monopolistic control of big tech.
Dario Presutti is a Project Manager at the Free Software Foundation Europe. His work focuses on fostering the use of Free Software in public administration and promoting transparent, accountable digital infrastructures in Europe. With a background in Political Science and a Master’s degree in International Cooperation, Dario has experience engaging with policymakers, monitoring legislative processes, and contributing to initiatives such as Public Money? Public Code! and Device Neutrality.