[LeFantome]

By “close relationship”, I assume you mean that FUTO is a financial sponsor.

Ladybird has been pretty clear that they will accept money from pretty much anybody but that funding will not provide influence.

I mean, they mostly make sure sponsors websites look good in Ladybird but even that seems like a low priority if you watch them.

[csb6]

I've never understood that stance because surely the mere threat (even implied) of a sponsor removing thousands in funding would be enough to exert influence on the project.

The sponsor money is used to pay developers to work on Ladybird so a major sponsor pulling out could mean laying off core developers, which the project would obviously be motivated to prevent.

[jordand]

Andreas is involved with FUTO's conferences, and given a keynote presentation at one. It's more than just financial.

[hitekker]

And Drew Devault, your source, has brazenly deceived HN before https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41838124

To be clear, that source is happy to lie about their own identity and run away from basic questions. I'd treat this as another ill-baked cancel campaign unless someone actually credible speaks up

[fabrice_d]

It's very naive to believe the "no influence" part. I will never give to Ladybird given their closeness with fascists. Is that the kind of influence they expect?

[kbelder]

I guess you'll have no influence over Ladybird, then.