On October 14, 2024, a report targeting Richard Stallman, founder of the Free Software Foundation, was published, sparking outrage and controversy across tech communities. Branded as “The Stallman Report,” this document is nothing more than a blatant hit piece orchestrated by far-left activists, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of one of the most significant figures in the free software movement. It is filled with half-truths, misleading language, and gross exaggerations intended to push a political agenda while silencing dissenting voices within the tech community.

Stallman, a champion of software freedom for decades, has been the subject of various criticisms over the years, largely due to his unconventional views on certain social issues. However, to frame him as a dangerous figure using cherry-picked statements is nothing short of character assassination. The report deliberately distorts his comments on minors and misrepresents his critiques of laws surrounding age-based censorship online. Stallman’s consistent call for rational debate on these issues is twisted to make him appear as an apologist for predatory behavior — an entirely unfounded accusation.

This attack is not only an attempt to erase Stallman’s legacy but also an attempt to impose rigid ideological control over the open-source community. Those behind the report are far-left activists who believe in weaponizing identity politics to dismantle the achievements of anyone who disagrees with their worldview. Their ultimate goal is not justice but silencing figures like Stallman, whose advocacy for intellectual freedom threatens their control. This is clearly seen in their use of emotional language and baseless accusations, designed to incite moral panic rather than engage in genuine discourse.

The report is filled with carefully crafted distortions of Stallman’s words. For example, his distinction between children and teenagers — an idiosyncrasy of his personal lexicon — is ripped out of context to accuse him of inappropriate views on sexual consent. What the authors fail to mention is that Stallman has repeatedly condemned coercion and abuse, but they conveniently ignore these clarifications. Instead, they focus on inflammatory interpretations designed to fit their narrative.

The free software movement, which Stallman helped build, is based on the principles of transparency, collaboration, and freedom of speech. It’s ironic that those who claim to champion progressive values are now spearheading a witch hunt against someone who has contributed so much to technological liberty. The far-left faction behind this smear campaign doesn’t care about truth or facts — they care about enforcing ideological conformity. By attacking Stallman, they are sending a message: dissenters will be destroyed, no matter how important their contributions to society might be.

In reality, this report is not about protecting communities or holding individuals accountable. It’s about controlling the narrative and silencing those who don’t fit into the narrow ideological boxes defined by today’s left-wing extremists. The open-source world cannot allow itself to be held hostage by these terrorists of political correctness.

Who is behind the website?

Recent discussions on various forums have revealed intriguing information regarding the origins and authorship of The Stallman Report. An examination of the website stallman-report.org indicates that its A record was previously linked to the same IP address as drewdevault.com (IP: 46.23.81.157), suggesting that Drew DeVault, a known critic of Stallman, is likely behind the report, similar to his involvement in previous criticisms.

Key Points from Forum Discoveries

1. Domain Connections:
   Up until recently, both stallman-report.org and drewdevault.com shared the same A record. Although stallman-report.org is now showing a “404 Site Not Found” error, it had previously resolved to the same server as DeVault’s site. This correlation raises suspicions about the report’s anonymity and authorship.
2. Certificate Transparency Evidence:
   Additional evidence comes from Certificate Transparency logs. A subdomain linked to Drew’s site, rms-draft-84eb252.drewdevault.com, was issued a certificate shortly before stallman-report.org was registered. This indicates that Drew might have prepared content related to Stallman ahead of time, further implying his involvement in the report’s creation.
3. Internet Archive Insights:
   The Internet Archive has captured earlier versions of the content from the subdomain, showing that it contained similar material to what later appeared on stallman-report.org. This discovery supports the theory that the anonymous report was, in fact, authored by Drew DeVault.
4. Allegations of Misleading Claims:
   Users on the forum pointed out that Drew has engaged in what they describe as “deceptive sockpuppetry.” When he claimed to have “read most of the report,” it was suggested this was misleading since he would have been directly involved in writing and editing the document. This contradiction raises questions about the credibility of the report itself, as users wonder how much of it may have been crafted to misrepresent Stallman and the FSF.
5. Impact on Credibility:
   The circumstantial evidence linking Drew to the report casts doubt on its integrity. Forum users argue that if the author is indeed manipulating facts or exaggerating claims, it undermines the seriousness of the allegations made against Stallman and others involved with the Free Software Foundation.

The collaborative research conducted by users in these forums illustrates the interconnectedness of the digital landscape and highlights how anonymity can be pierced by diligent inquiry. The revelations surrounding the Stallman Report not only question its authenticity but also shine a light on the tactics employed by its authors, raising significant ethical considerations in the realm of digital activism and criticism.

For more in-depth information, you can follow these links to the original discussions and evidence sources: Hacker News Thread, and the Certificate Transparency Database.

Who is Richard Stallman?

Richard Matthew Stallman (born March 16, 1953) is a highly influential American software freedom activist, programmer, and founder of the Free Software Foundation (FSF). Known for his groundbreaking work in promoting free software and digital rights, Stallman has been both a revered and controversial figure in the tech world.

Early Life and Education

Stallman was born in New York City. His passion for computers emerged early; as a teenager in the late 1960s, he worked as a laboratory assistant at the IBM New York Scientific Center. He excelled academically, later attending Harvard University, where he majored in physics. His time at Harvard also exposed him to the emerging world of computer programming, leading him to focus on computing at MIT, where he worked as a programmer at the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab.

Career and the Birth of GNU

Stallman is best known for initiating the GNU Project in 1983, a campaign aimed at developing a free and open-source Unix-like operating system. He founded the Free Software Foundation (FSF) in 1985 to support this vision. Stallman’s most famous creation is the GNU General Public License (GPL), which was designed to protect the freedom of software users by ensuring that software can be freely used, modified, and distributed. This license played a critical role in the development of open-source software.

His commitment to “free software” has been central to his identity. Stallman stresses that “free” refers not to price but to freedom, believing that software should empower users rather than restrict them. His work laid the foundation for what is today known as the open-source movement, which has shaped how software is developed and distributed across the globe.

Contributions to Technology

Stallman developed several key components of the GNU system, including the GNU Emacs text editor, the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), and the GNU Debugger (GDB). These tools were essential in creating a free and functional Unix-compatible operating system. While the kernel, GNU Hurd, never gained widespread popularity, the GNU tools paired with the Linux kernel (developed by Linus Torvalds) became widely used, forming what is commonly referred to as a “Linux” operating system — although Stallman insists it be called GNU/Linux to credit GNU’s contribution.

Ideology and Activism

Stallman is a fierce advocate for the philosophy of software freedom. He believes that proprietary software, which limits users’ abilities to study, modify, or share the software, is a form of digital tyranny. His stance is not merely technical but deeply rooted in ethics and human rights. Stallman’s vision goes beyond programming: he advocates for a world where software serves the public interest rather than corporate interests.

His activism has expanded to other areas, including campaigns against DRM (Digital Rights Management), software patents, and government surveillance. Stallman has been an outspoken critic of the way many large tech corporations, like Microsoft and Apple, lock down their ecosystems and control users’ access to software.

Controversies

Stallman has also been a highly polarizing figure, particularly due to his comments and personal behavior. He has been criticized for his often rigid stance on issues of free software and his unapologetically blunt rhetoric. His views on sexual consent, privacy, and language use have led to significant controversy, particularly in recent years.

In 2019, Stallman resigned from his position at MIT and as president of the FSF after facing backlash over comments he made regarding an MIT-related sexual misconduct case involving Jeffrey Epstein. His remarks, seen by many as insensitive, prompted calls for his removal. Stallman later expressed regret for his comments but maintained his stance on various free speech issues.

Despite these controversies, Stallman’s contributions to the tech world are undeniable. His vision for a world in which users control the software they use continues to influence activists, developers, and policymakers worldwide.

Legacy

Richard Stallman’s legacy is twofold: he is a technical innovator and an ethical philosopher. His creation of the GPL and his role in the development of free software have reshaped the software industry. While his personal views and behavior have sometimes overshadowed his accomplishments, Stallman remains a crucial figure in discussions about digital rights, software freedom, and the ethical dimensions of technology.

Today, Stallman continues to write and speak about free software and human rights in the digital age. Whether celebrated or criticized, his work has forever altered the landscape of computing.