Recommended Free Tools
Richard Stallman called cell phones “tools of Big Brother” in a 2011 interview, arguing that their ability to track location and enable remote eavesdropping is especially troubling when users cannot control the software inside them. “Stalin’s dream” was his deliberately provocative opinion—not evidence that every phone constantly records its owner or that every user faces the same risk.
What Stallman meant by “Stalin’s dream”
In a March 15, 2011, interview with Computerworld’s Jon Brodkin, Stallman said: “It’s Stalin’s dream. Cell phones are tools of Big Brother.” He said he did not own or carry one: “I don’t have a cell phone. I won’t carry a cell phone.” His concern was that a phone combines communications with the ability to reveal where its user is, while parts of its software may operate beyond the user’s inspection or control. Read the Computerworld interview.
The phrase invokes authoritarian surveillance to make a point about the device’s potential, not to establish a technical finding about every handset. The interview records Stallman’s position; it is not a comprehensive audit of mobile phones, their behavior, or the risks faced by individual users.
Why software freedom was central to his argument
For Stallman, the issue was not whether a phone costs money. “Free” software refers to the user’s freedoms: to run a program for any purpose, study and change it, share the original, and share modified versions. The Free Software Foundation (FSF) sets out these four freedoms in its Ethical Tech | Giving Guide, version 15.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Universal unlocked. Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other prepaid carriers.
- Super-bright, super-smooth 6.7" display. See your screen clearly even outdoors in sunlight, and enjoy seamless views with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display.*
- AI-powered camera system. Take stunning photos in any light with the 50MP camera**, look your best with a 32MP selfie cam*****, and capture extreme close-ups.
- Superfast 5G performance. Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed*** with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost****.
- Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging. Power through day after day with a 5200mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes.****
If important software is proprietary, users may not be able to examine how it works, change its behavior, or share changes. Stallman’s argument connected that lack of control to the possibility of software-enabled surveillance. It did not demonstrate that any particular phone was eavesdropping on its owner.
What the 2011 interview said about phones
The interview discussed Android phones that could include nonfree executable software and hardware restrictions—a practice Stallman called “tivoization.” He speculated that a fully free software stack could probably help protect against software-enabled eavesdropping. That was his qualified view, not proof that free software by itself prevents surveillance or guarantees privacy.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
The article used the HTC Dream and Replicant as examples in the context of 2011. Those details describe the devices and software discussion at that time; they do not establish current compatibility or make the HTC Dream a present-day recommendation.
What the FSF says about mobile freedom now
The FSF’s version 15 giving guide says no cell phone is fully compatible with user freedom. It describes Replicant, a project aiming to provide a fully free Android distribution, as having limited development attention and hardware support, and as not currently usable for most use cases. This is the FSF’s assessment, not an independent comparison of available handsets.
Rank #3
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
The FSF’s LibrePhone project page describes work to address proprietary firmware obstacles in mobile phones. It is a longer-term project, not a ready-to-buy phone recommendation. Together, these assessments underline that replacing or modifying an operating system does not necessarily remove every nonfree component, and practical hardware support matters.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the claim does—and does not—establish
- It establishes Stallman’s view: in 2011, he objected to phones’ tracking and eavesdropping capabilities and to users’ limited control over proprietary software.
- It does not establish continuous recording: the interview is not evidence that all phones constantly record conversations or that all users experience the same surveillance risk.
- It does not make software freedom a privacy guarantee: open access to source code and the ability to modify software are distinct from independently verified privacy or security protections.
- It does not identify a fully free, broadly usable phone: the FSF’s current materials say mobile software freedom remains incomplete, and the LibrePhone page describes ongoing work.
The remark also prompted disagreement. A March 16, 2011, Network World article collected reader responses, showing that the claim was debated; those responses are not a representative poll of public opinion. Read the reader-response article.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
