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by subzero06 403 days ago
If something is free, you are the product - it is "free" but Anonymous data is collected.
2 comments

I generally agree with the sentiment—if something is free, there’s often a tradeoff. But when there’s a paid tier, the free version can act more like an entry point or hook to get users into the ecosystem, rather than relying on harvesting user data. In JetBrains’ case, broad adoption brings a lot of strategic value on its own (like establishing industry standards or building community mindshare), so it makes sense for them to offer a genuinely free version without necessarily treating users as the product.
Exactly, this I why I won't use Linux or Firefox, I don't want to be the product.
Most Linux distros are completely free of any builtin telemetry. Your fears are unwarranted.
I believe that's the point being made by the comment you're replying to
My impression (perhaps incorrect) was that the guy was being sarcastic.
We at the HN do not have a sense of humor we're aware of.
Linux is free as in free speech. It's also open source.

Firefox... is free as in free beer.

Firefox is covered by the Mozilla Public License (MPL), which is a free-as-in-freedom, open source software license.

What's your definition of freedom?

> Firefox is covered by the Mozilla Public License (MPL), which is a free-as-in-freedom

Firefox is subject to a non-free terms of use.

> What's your definition of freedom?

Let me use the software without limitation.

This AUP is related to the optional backend services run by Mozilla. The frontends for all of these services are open source, with no usage restrictions. It doesn't affect how Firefox is licensed in terms of copyright. Additionally, the backends for some of these services (such as Firefox Sync and Mozilla Accounts) are fully open source, so you could avoid the AUP if you wanted to.