We are there so that people new to the free software movement can learn about it, and because -- unlike with Facebook -- we have no ethical objection to merely having an account on Twitter.

However, we do find Twitter problematic, and there are some ethical pitfalls that come up the way most people use it. If you're currently a Twitter user, here are a few reasons to consider switching to StatusNet, a free software (licensed under AGPLv3), decentralized microblogging service.

1. Twitter uses nonfree JavaScript. Nonfree JavaScript serves up proprietary programs through your web browser without asking or telling you. There are ways to use Twitter without using nonfree JavaScript, and that's what the FSF does. There are several free software Twitter clients that can be used to view and post tweets without visiting the site or running its proprietary code. Try using a free client like Turpial or Choqok to access the site instead. Or, use StatusNet and activate the Twitter bridge.

2. Twitter accounts have privacy issues, such as being vulnerable to broad subpoenas. Because Twitter accounts are centralized on one server, your account can be subpoenaed, and Twitter could be forced to hand over your information. This isn't a hypothetical: Twitter accounts have already been subpoenaed -- such as for Occupy http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/09/twitter-hands-over-occupy-wall-street-protesters-tweets/. Decentralized services like StatusNet mean that StatusNet doesn't necessarily own the servers hosting your posts or account information, making it harder for someone to execute a subpoena without your direct knowledge. Distributed servers are also less tempting targets for malicious crackers out to steal large amounts of personal information.

As a bonus, a federated system hosted on many servers is more durable than a centralized one. If we all continue to rely on Twitter, some day there will be a permanent fail whale. By contrast, when one part of a federated system (like email!) goes down, it does not take the entire network with it.

So, in support of software freedom and to protect your own information, switch from Twitter to StatusNet. You can sign up at any number of instances of StatusNet but identi.ca is the most popular. Or better yet, try it out on identi.ca and then get together with some friends to run your own!

You can read more about the importance of federated, free software network services at http://autonomo.us.

If you like the FSF's work in this area, please let us know by becoming a member or making a donation.