Before the GPL, the biggest software companies hiring the highest paid developers were companies that made proprietary software that ran on a users machine and the data did not leave the user's machine.
Now the biggest tech companies are companies that use GPL software to run infrastructure that gives users 'free' services and in exchange takes their data and sells it. Because they are using it as a web, they can keep all their secrets.
Now you tell me, what scenario is more conducive to user freedom and privacy.
If you look at who is actually paid to work on GPL software, I would guess that most people either work for hardware companies or companies whose revenue is from advertisers. Relatively few are working on software that is actually for end-users to run on their own personal computer.
GPL is great if you are Stallman and limit yourself to only what you can build yourself. For the average user, they are less free, more beholden to a platform, and have less control of their data than in the pre-GPL era.
Before the GPL, the biggest software companies hiring the highest paid developers were companies that made proprietary software that ran on a users machine and the data did not leave the user's machine.
Now the biggest tech companies are companies that use GPL software to run infrastructure that gives users 'free' services and in exchange takes their data and sells it. Because they are using it as a web, they can keep all their secrets.
Now you tell me, what scenario is more conducive to user freedom and privacy.
If you look at who is actually paid to work on GPL software, I would guess that most people either work for hardware companies or companies whose revenue is from advertisers. Relatively few are working on software that is actually for end-users to run on their own personal computer.
GPL is great if you are Stallman and limit yourself to only what you can build yourself. For the average user, they are less free, more beholden to a platform, and have less control of their data than in the pre-GPL era.