Open Source Software gives people lung cancer
Is it ethical to work for a tobacco company? Most people would probably say no but if you’ve ever contributed code to React, Webpack, jQuery, Bootstrap or Modernizr, you have done exactly that.
Philip Morris International’s website uses jQuery and Bootstrap.
British American Tobacco’s site uses jQuery and Modernizr.
Altadis uses React + Webpack.
I personally feel pretty uncomfortable about the idea that any improvements I contribute to open source projects might go towards giving people lung cancer. For that reason, I was thrilled to come across the Just World License (JWL)* yesterday.
The idea of JWL is to prevent software from being used by unethical industries, including tobacco, gambling, people trafficking, slavery, purveyors of hate speech and more. It’s an extension on the BSD 3 license with restrictions on the activities of people/organisations who can legally use the software.
Chris Jensen has written a great article that aims to clear up misconceptions around the intent and likely effectiveness of ethical open source licenses.
I would love to see major open source projects adopt JWL (or a similar ethical open source license). Otherwise, the work we contribute is going towards organisations that we possibly don’t support.
One concern that may arise is that it could fragment the development community and lead to unethical organisations developing a Hatreon style counter-license that bans renewable energy companies, vegetarians and Democrat voters from using their software. This would be an interesting development that might not be an entirely bad thing as it would bring more attention to the topic and begin to shatter the illusion that software tools are entirely neutral.
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6 年Thanks for the information. The article wasn't in my area of expertise but I see a similar issue with superannuation and other investments. Many of us have little idea - and often don't care - where our money is.? I assume as long as it is making money for us, most of us just turn a blind eye.?