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Remotely Compromising Android and iOS via a bug in Broadcom's WI-FI Chipsets

(blog.exodusintel.com)
387 points pedro84 | 2 comments | 26 Jul 17 19:51 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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thomastjeffery ◴[26 Jul 17 23:00 UTC] No.14861166[source]▶
Why does Broadcom insist on proprietary drivers?

How could it possibly be detrimental for Broadcom to have free software drivers?

This article is a poignant example that it is detrimental for them to continue to keep their drivers proprietary.

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mmjaa ◴[27 Jul 17 09:39 UTC] No.14863796[source]▶
>How could it possibly be detrimental for Broadcom to have free software drivers?

Because they are used as a front/vector for US intelligence agencies. Opening this firmware would not allow for the distribution of these implants.

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1. FungalRaincloud ◴[27 Jul 17 12:19 UTC] No.14864550[source]▶
While I acknowledge that this is a very real possibility, I don't think it has anything to do with the motivation to keep the source closed. I think more to do with an old world mentality that all intellectual property is a trade secret. Why share, when there's no real penalty to not sharing?
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2. mmjaa ◴[27 Jul 17 16:59 UTC] No.14867169[source]▶
The question is, what value is secrecy, and alas the answer is that for those who want to exploit their technology prowess over others, secrets are a dire necessity.

An open ideology is one where everyone wins, even those who aren't on your team. The closed one is mostly to protect ones own team. I don't consider any of the reasons to be good reasons, personally. Commercially necessary, perhaps, as a conforming act as part of the "super-state", also perhaps.. but nevertheless, the best conclusion is that this situation is rotten enough to motivate someone to fix it.

Me personally .. I'd love to have the sources for every sub-processor/component in my system. It would be of immense value - commercially and otherwise - to me as an end-user. I hope I don't sit alone in this market...