Mobifree Project Launches to Revolutionize Mobile Software with an Ethical, Human-Centered Approach

Bucharest, May 21, 2024: Commit Global, together with 12 international partners, launches Mobifree, an ambitious research and pilot project dedicated to improving software systems for mobile devices. Coordinated by E Foundation, the project aims to change the way we use mobile software by promoting ethical practices, user autonomy and sustainability. The humanitarian aid ecosystem deployed by Commit Global will be integrated into the project's software systems with key applications in the operating system of the new devices.

The Mobifree Project is an ambitious initiative set to redefine the landscape of mobile software through a commitment to ethical practices, user empowerment, and sustainability. Spearheaded by the E Foundation, the project unites twelve organizations in a collaborative effort to challenge the status quo of mobile technology development.

For decades, the mobile software industry has been dominated by Big Tech companies, leading to widespread concerns over privacy violations, environmental impact, and the exploitation of labor. The Mobifree Project aims to address these issues head-on by advocating for a shift towards more open, transparent, and user-focused solutions.

Core Values and Objectives

The Mobifree Project is built around a set of core values that prioritize the digital rights of users, including privacy and freedom of speech. The project aims to deliver high-quality mobile experiences that foster fair competition through the use of open data standards and encourage the empowerment of workers with fair labor practices.

Inclusiveness is also a central component of the project, with efforts focused on ensuring that software is accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, financial status, or level of technical expertise. Moreover, the initiative is committed to environmental sustainability, advocating for development practices that minimize the carbon footprint of mobile software.

Empowering European Citizens and Organizations

Through a series of workshops and pilot tests, the Mobifree Project seeks to engage directly with European citizens and organizations to better understand their needs and values regarding mobile software. These insights will inform the development of software in key IT areas, including:

• /e/OS, a fully open-source operating system for Android-based phones.

• Privacy-focused app stores, messaging services, and mobile maps tools, such as F-Droid, microG, Conversations, Quicksy, Ltt.rs and Delta Chat. 

• Disaster and emergency response applications, such as the software kit by Commit Global. 

Collaborative Effort for a Sustainable Future

The Mobifree Project represents a significant step forward in the movement towards a more ethical and sustainable digital world. By focusing on open-source solutions and pro-privacy initiatives, the project challenges the industry to adopt practices that are not only beneficial for users but also positive for the environment.

”We believe that the future of mobile software should be built on principles of digital freedom, privacy, sustainability and openness”, said Gaël Duval, the President of E Foundation. ”In the Mobifree Project we collaborate with 12 partners to make that future a reality.”

The initiative invites individuals and organizations to join the movement towards ethical, human-centered mobile software.

„Mobifree is our opportunity to improve the way we interact with mobile technology. With this project we reaffirm our commitment to a better digital world, closer to people and better prepared to respond to the emergencies and disasters we face”, said Olivia Vereha, co-founder and Director of Product Commit Global.

List of partners in the Mobifree.org • mastodon.social/@mobifree:

• E Foundation • Commit Global • Waag Futurelab • Murena • Rapid.Space • Merlinux • microG • Conversations & Quicksy & Ltt.rs • F-Droid • NLNet • University of Amsterdam, Institute for Information Law (IViR) • BioSense Institute •

Our guiding principles:

#DigitalRights: Championing #privacy and freedom of speech

#Quality: Delivering a superior mobile experience

#Fairness: Promoting fair competition with #OpenStandards

#WorkerEmpowerment: Ensuring fair treatment and involvement

#Inclusiveness: Making software accessible to everyone

#OpenSource: We make open-source software and use open data sources

#Sustainability: Supporting an environmentally friendly industry

Our Approach:

• Workshops & pilots with user group to improve our tech based on European needs;

• Improvements in areas like open-source OS, app stores, messengers and maps.

Visit the website: www.mobifree.org

Follow the project partners

Apply for your own #Mobifree funding between 5k and 50k: www.nlnet.nl/mobifree/ 

Contact us if you are interested to write, podcast, blog or vlog about us or our projects.

About E Foundation

The E Foundation is a European non-profit organization dedicated to the development of more ethical and fair mobile software, particularly through the promotion of digital rights and open-source software development. The foundation's initiatives, including the Mobifree Project, aim to empower users with privacy-respecting and sustainable technologies that are accessible to all.

About Commit Global

As the world's first global non-governmental civic technology organization, Commit Global‘s goal is to provide a free global digital infrastructure so that governments, international and civil organizations can provide faster and coordinated support in the wake of humanitarian disasters. Through previous projects, more than 20 million people have already been supported. Romania is exporting digital solutions that will also help hundreds of thousands of other NGOs around the world. Commit Global aims to ensure equitable global access to this infrastructure, regardless of age, race, education.