Trump's Truth App Gets Demand To Stop Violating Software License

[LetMyPeopleVote]

This will be fun to watch. I do not know how one goes public when they do not own the key intellectual property needed for their business

Link to tweet

Former President Donald Trump’s new TRUTH social network is in violation of the software license it’s built on and must get in compliance, the holder of the license demanded this week.

The company that holds the software license for the open source code sent TRUTH Social, the Trump-founded venture, a letter demanding compliance with its software license, Mastodon CEO Eugen Rochko said in a statement.

Rochko told TPM last week that he believed an early version of Trump’s network was using open-source software that he developed, called Mastodon, without abiding by the terms of the license that make it available to use.

Rochko said in the statement that though he would “prefer if people so antithetical to our values did not use and benefit from our labour,” the reality of open-source, free software means that “you give up the possibility of choosing who can and cannot use it from the get-go.

[MineralMan]

1. Open source, eh?

Well, that will make it easier for hackers to penetrate it, I'd think. Most likely those in charge of setting up and configuring the site aren't the brightest bulbs in the chandelier, either. So...not a good choice for such a hot-button website, I'd think.

[Otto_Harper]

2. On the other hand

with Open Source, if they actually live up to the terms of the license, "White Hats" will also be able to view and work with the code implementation of that site, potentially finding issues and pointing out weaknesses and corrections.

Of course, given who owns the site, I have no doubt that they will use a constant barrage of lawyers and court tactics to continue to operate in breach of the Open Source license. In that case, you are correct, and I wish all of the Black hats out there a pleasant day.

[getagrip_already]

3. Actually, it can make it harder to attack.....

Since it can be analyzed so easily by soooo many people, the chances are higher there won't be any latent defects that could be exploited.

But you can still f'up the admin and leave gaping holes. Though best practices would prevent that. Of course, if you don't believe in science, engineering, and management in general, you is hosed.

Generally, the open source licenses don't prohibit use for profit, but they require you to publish any code you use; even if you wrote it yourself.

Not insurmountable, unless you are asshats who believe you don't need to follow the law.