Samsung has decided to proceed with the Bootloader blocking also in Europe, a move that has caused a lot of discussion. Behind this choice is a European regulation that will come into force in August 2025 and which risks changing smartphone usage in Europe forever. This is why other manufacturers may soon follow suit.
From 1 August 2025, new provisions will come into force RED Directive (Radio Equipment Directive), which redefines the compliance requirements for all radio devices sold in Europe. This is a significant change, not so much for the amount of regulations introduced, but for the effect they will have on the entire Android ecosystem. The issue revolves around three articles that impose specific protections: against network interference, personal data compromise, and digital fraud. These are, in themselves, sacrosanct rules.
But the crux comes with the interpretation prevailingEach device must ensure full compliance not only with the hardware, but also with the software that controls the radio modules. This is where the bootloader comes in. Unlocking it essentially allows you to replace the original operating system with an alternative one, such as LineageOS or GrapheneOS.
But these systems, if they modify the radio drivers even minimally, invalidate the CE certification. An uncertified device can no longer be legally marketed or used, at least according to the most stringent reading of the law.
This scenario has therefore led Samsung to protect its devices. Not on a whim, but to avoid any software modifications falling under your legal liability. If a user installs a ROM that interferes with radio frequencies or compromises communications security, the manufacturer (and in some cases the importer) may be held directly liable.
RED does not explicitly talk about unlocking the Bootloader or custom ROM, but it opens one regulatory space in which the margins for maneuver are they narrow. And in doing so, it provides a solid argument for those who have been trying for years to close the loop between hardware, software, and services. After all, customizing the operating system also means breaking away from proprietary services and, therefore, from the model that ties the user to the brand.
Samsung is just the first to move, but it’s hard to imagine it will be the only one. Starting in August 2025, it’s very likely that other manufacturers will follow suit, at least for the European market.
There’s also this article from yesterday: Austria legalises state spyware amidst strong opposition
i wonder what changed. these regulations are certainly a threat. they justified it with the “threat of (islamistic) terrorism”, though i don’t know what’s really going on there.
I mean, Mexico has never been a beacon of privacy or regulations (just for super specific technologies that were implemented first, mostly banking ones), but the government has also been pushing weird changes to how they handle surveillance and personal identifications, giving more power to the authorities while they’re exempt for most of the transparency laws (everything they do, even public infrastructure is managed as some kind of ‘state secret’).
I am scared.
Big war in 2027
https://feddit.org/post/16373509
What’s really worrying me is this:
i.e. wars are waged because somebody is bored
Lame, not boring. Some people believe in war.
Supposedly this time it was pride that has prevented peace, I would say on both sides.
With Russia on Nato’s side, there would be another Eight-Nation Alliance and China would be split, however ethical that would be.
https://feddit.org/post/16410454/8030302
I think at the deepest level the elite still believes in the Iliad and they want this war.
As funny as the comic is, I am convinced that it will never get to that point, because an asshole with a thirst for power will always exist and be stronger than a bored asshole. Therefore war will keep, as it has always been, being motivated by power.