> Does it distribute a kernel with nonfree firmware? If so, PureOS looks,
freedom-wise, not different from Fedora
No, it uses Debian's kernel, which does remove firmware blobs. However,
removing blobs is not the only thing that the Linux-libre scripts do. From
[here][1], mainline Linux "induces you to install additional non-Free
Software that it doesn't contain" in the form of messages that appear while
booting naming the missing non-free firmware. In addition, Debian's kernel
includes a [patch][2] so that the first such message is accompanied by a
direction to a [wiki page][3] explaining how to install the firwmare from
Debian's non-free repository.
In terms of FSDG-compliance, this is not as bad as Fedora, which includes the
firmware by default. However, it is still not good enough for the [FSDG][4],
which states "A free system distribution must not steer users towards
obtaining any nonfree information for practical use, or encourage them to do
so."
Also, note that while PureOS does not include non-free firmware by default
*currently*, Purism advertises that the Librem 5 will run PureOS. Since the
Librem 5 will probably require non-free blobs, the situation is likely to
become more similar to Fedora when it comes time to ship the device.
[1]: https://www.fsfla.org/ikiwiki/selibre/linux-libre/
[2]:
https://salsa.debian.org/kernel-team/linux/-/blob/master/debian/patches/debian/firmware_class-refer-to-debian-wiki-firmware-page.patch
[3]: https://wiki.debian.org/Firmware
[4]: https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-system-distribution-guidelines.html
