As this issue is related to free software I am also sending it to
Libreplanet mailing list.
Issue:
https://labs.parabola.nu/issues/3010
More comments on Telegram freedom issues:
=
- there are several Telegram related packages in Parabola, not just
one;
- Review terms for API here: https://core.telegram.org/api/terms
Terms dictate that user cannot modify software how user wants, thus
those Terms are in direct contradiction to the GPL3 software, thus I
consider Telegram application non-free as additional terms are
introduced limiting user to modify Telegram how user wish and wants,
and for whatever purpose user wish and want.
Those limitations are following:
- third party clients must comply with following:
- modifier has to observe these Terms of Services which are in
conflict with the GPL3
- API terms dictate that any modification to Telegram software MUST
allow connection to other Telegram users, this contradicts GPL3 --
as for example, I would like to use chat software to contact
non-Telegram users, which are on different server, with compatible
API, GPL3 allows me to do so, Telegram does not allow me.
- It is forbidden to interfere with the basic functionality of
Telegram. This includes but is not limited to: making actions on
behalf of the user without the user's knowledge and consent,
preventing self-destructing content from disappearing, preventing
last seen and online statuses from being displayed correctly,
tampering with the 'read' statuses of messages (e.g. implementing a
'ghost mode'), preventing typing statuses from being sent/displayed,
etc. -- I would like to be chaning these features to something
different, but I am not allowed. GPL3 allows me, but additional
Terms apply there which do not allow me, which in effect defeat the
purpose of the GPL3.
- You must obtain your own api_id for your application. -- I don't
want, I want software to function without getting API key from
vendor. I need freedom 0.
- We offer our API free of charge, but your users must be aware of the
fact that your app uses the Telegram API and is part of the Telegram
ecosystem. This fact must be featured prominently in the app's
description in the app stores and in the in-app intro if your app
has it. -- We do not use "ecosystem" as term. Hypothetically, I do
not want to tell users that it uses Telegram API and I do not want
to have application that becomes part of Telegram "ecosystem" and do
not want to make it prominent. Those are all contradictory terms
that impact GPL3 freedom 0.
- To avoid confusion, the title of your app must not include the word
“Telegram”. An exception can be made if the word “Telegram” is
preceded with the word “Unofficial” in the title. -- So when I
change it, I should not be naming it that way. But when I change
XMPP application or IRC, I can still call it XMPP, IRC something.
- You must not use the official Telegram logo for your app. Both the
Telegram brand and its logo are registered trademarks protected by
law in almost every country. -- because official Telegram logo is
included in the telegram-desktop software, this renders software
non-free. This may be allowed by GPL3, but one may get a feeling of
intentions of the vendor.
- If you decide to monetize your app, you must clearly mention all the
methods of monetization that are used in your app in all its app
store descriptions -- I do not want to clearly mention it, it is in
the source code that will be available for people to inspect
it. Those are hypothetical statements to show contradictions with
freedom zero in GPL3 and Terms of usage of API, that directly
prevent users to modify software how they wish and want.
- Breach of terms
,
| 4.1. If your app violates these terms, we will notify the Telegram
| account responsible for the app about the breach of terms. 4.2. If
| you do not update the app to fix the highlighted issues within 10
| days, we will have to discontinue your access to Telegram API and
| contact the app stores about the removal of your apps that are using
| the Telegram API in violation of these terms.
|
| We reserve the right to expand these terms and guidelines as the need
| arises. We will inform client developers of such changes via an in-app
| notification to their accounts connected to the app in question.
`
That means that contradictory, not GPL3 complying additional terms on
GPL3 are imposed as software will not function how user wish and want
in case that supplementary Terms are not respected.
Additional future proprietary terms are imposed onto GPL3 as Telegram
vendor reserves the right to change the Terms in future how vendor
wish and wants.
Thus Telegram applications are not free as additional limiting terms
are imposed onto users.
More viewpoints to consider for removal of this package from Parabola:
