IDAD 2024: December 20, 2024
This year's annual day in protest of Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) will be on December 20, 2024. On IDAD, a global community of activists will stand up against the Microsoft Windows 11 requiring TPM, a treacherous technology that will soon force thousands of users onto more restrictive hardware via planned obsolescence.
While TPM has legitimate use cases and could theoretically benefit user security if handled through free software, it is overwhelmingly deployed not to protect its actual users, but media conglomerates. Today, most of the major streaming media platforms utilize the TPM to decrypt media streams, forcefully placing the decryption out of the user's control.
In this respect, it should come as no surprise that Microsoft has eagerly mandated a hardware TPM as a requirement for Windows 11. In addition to their many other serious issues, they just don't care that this leaves users in the lurch. Very soon, the end of support for Windows 10 will force users away from perfectly working hardware to abide by this requirement. Let's be clear: the only significant reason this is being done is to appease corporate monopolies. In doing so, they'll send thousands of operable machines straight to the local landfill, potentially setting back e-waste sustainability efforts for years.
Thankfully, there's a way out. Now is the time for users to switch to free software and the GNU/Linux operating system, an ethical replacement for Windows that respects the freedom of its users.
Let's keep these machines working for years to come, not throw them away just because a corporation says we should.
How to participate
Try a live version ("distribution") of the GNU/Linux operating system or help a friend do the same. We recommend trying one of these fully free distributions, but others are available elsewhere. For coordination, feel free to use this LibrePlanet wiki page.
Ask around your friends and family if anyone is using Windows 10. If they are, inform of the issue and let them know now is the time to upgrade to freedom.
Organize your own event for IDAD and let us know about it. We can promote it on social media and with any local FSF/DBD supporters.
Flood review sites with a real evaluation of Windows 11 -- highlighting the ways it robs users of their rights.
Challenge yourself to go a "Day without DRM," and refuse to engage with media peddled by Disney+, Amazon, Peacock, and others that don't respect your digital autonomy. If you need help, be sure to check out our Guide to DRM-free Living.
Are you an organization or project interested in supporting IDAD?
We're looking for vendors of DRM-free media, organizations that support the building of a DRM-free world, and those who believe in the mission of Defective by Design to participate by offering sales, writing blog posts, organizing events, and sharing with your members about IDAD. Please contact us at info@defectivebydesign.org for more information.
Together, we can build a future without DRM.