📹 Why I deleted GrapheneOS

video by L. Rossmann

Synopsis:

Micay, the lead developer of GrapheneOS accuses the F-Droid project of harrassment:

All I posted before their outburst of bullying and fabricated stories which started in their developer chat room was information on the Android permission model, how F-Droid presents it incorrectly to users and how that harms users by misleading them in 2 different ways about it. I stated we intend to add a disclaimer screen to GrapheneOS on this incorrect information in the F-Droid app if they won't fix it, which has been planned for a long time. F-Droid has multiple serious security and usability issues which they have downplayed and refused to fix. In many cases, F-Droid has downplayed and refused to acknowledge or fix security issues. They've started making posts with the explicit goal of downplaying the issues and misleading people about them. This will only increase the priority of replacing it and moving users away. Engaging in harassment and libel towards people reporting and publishing information about serious issues in their software is one of their main approaches. Several people other than myself have posted blog posts and videos explaining issues, which F-Droid has attacked with lies. [...]
I have irrefutable proof that multiple core F-Droid and Calyx developers (substantial overlap) have engaged in bullying, harassment and libel targeting me to advance their own interests. ^{1 2}

In the aftermath, Rossman, right to repair activist and interpreneur, has to confront the state of distress of the talented developer, who feels isolated and mistreated. The stress reduces the capacity to communicate correctly, leading to even more isolation. On the spectrum of autism and victim of cyberbullying since 2018, in the end Micay's mental wellness is at risk. In addition to contacting the authorities and asking for help, he takes the wise decision to use the social networks in a safer way:

I've stepped down as lead developer of GrapheneOS and will be replaced as a GrapheneOS Foundation director. I'll be ending my use of public social media. I'm unable to handle the escalating level of harassment including recent swatting attacks. There will be a smooth migration.

Cyberbullying can happen at any age and dealing with it can be hard. Wish you a serene recovery.

Lesson learned:
if we want to enjoy free software, we should also keep in consideration the wellness of who develops it. The aggressivity of some open source projects goes beyond healthy competition and we should all see it as the exterior manifestation of a toxic environment. Open source developers should stick as much as possible to a code of conduct, ensuring emotional detatchment and professional behaviour at all times.

Tags: #opensource #foss #os #grapheneos #fdroid #mobile #android #ungoogled #smartphone #customrom #privacy #mentalhealth

https://web.archive.org/web/20230601062933/https://twitter.com/DanielMicay/status/1651377352469880833
https://archive.ph/j7qql