While investigating the issues around binary blobs and the C.H.I.P. computer, and from reading your thoughtful and informative replies, I was surprised to find this text in the Respects Your Freedom hardware certification requirements:
"All the product software must be free software. [...] However, there is an exception for secondary embedded processors. The exception applies to [...] firmware built into an I/O device [...] The software in such secondary processors does not count as product software." -- http://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/endorsement/criteria This seems to say that, for example, even though the Realtek RTL8723BS WiFi + Bluetooth chip requires a non-free binary blob firmware to operate (with an otherwise free software device driver), a computer that employs that chip could still be granted the R.Y.F. certification. Surely, my interpretation is incorrect. Such a computer would not Respect Your Freedom. Would someone who knows more about the RYF certification and the rationale behind that language please explain why my interpretation is wrong? (Or, point me to where this has been discussed before? I searched unsuccessfully.) What is the rationale behind this exemption? Couldn't a manufacturer of a device encroach upon your freedom by building secret remote-control features into the firmware of their device? Or by unknowingly including a bug in their binary blob, that the user then has no means to repair themselves after the manufacturer stops caring? Perhaps "firmware embedded in an I/O device" refers only to firmware that is burnt into ROM and is irreplaceable without replacing the whole device itself? Thanks in advance!
