Malware in Proprietary Software - Latest Additions

The initial injustice of proprietary software often leads to further injustices: malicious functionalities.

The introduction of unjust techniques in nonfree software, such as back doors, DRM, tethering, and others, has become ever more frequent. Nowadays, it is standard practice.

We at the GNU Project show examples of malware that has been introduced in a wide variety of products and dis-services people use everyday, and of companies that make use of these techniques.

Here are our latest additions

April 2026

Proprietary Obsolescence

• Amazon is disconnecting the early models of the Swindle from the Amazon DRM-afflicted book store.

Malware in Appliances

• Some models of Vizio “smart” TVs will have some of their functionalities locked behind a Walmart account login.