Important notice for free software supporters using Gmail
Are you using Gmail? Nearly 50% of the FSF's 40,000 strong supporter mailing list has an @gmail.com email address.
JavaScript, once lauded for adding simple visual effects to web pages, is now used by web sites like Gmail to run powerful programs on your computer. These programs, like any other program running on your computer, should be free software. But right now, the vast majority of JavaScript programs do not respect your essential freedoms to run, study, modify and share them. They take control of your computer away from you; the same control we have been working for over 25 years to protect.
Because of the incredibly high percentage of Gmail-using free software supporters, we're taking action to raise awareness about how to use Gmail without using proprietary software. We'll also be working on longer term solutions, but the most immediate positive step to take is to stop running the proprietary programs.
Many people suggest that you shouldn't use Gmail at all, because it means losing control over your data and privacy. The same concern applies to any other commercial email service. We agree that this is a very important factor for you to consider when choosing how you will handle your email.
But if you are a free software supporter already using Gmail, or have friends and family members who are, please help us build momentum for change by doing so without allowing the proprietary JavaScript to run on your system -- and helping others to do the same.