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New FCC Rules Could Ban WiFi Router Firmware Modification

Posted by Soulskill on from the because-you-don't-need-to-control-the-things-you-own dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Hackaday reports that the FCC is introducing new rules which ban firmware modifications for the radio systems in WiFi routers and other wireless devices operating in the 5 GHz range. The vast majority of routers are manufactured as System on Chip devices, with the radio module and CPU integrated in a single package. The new rules have the potential to effectively ban the installation of proven Open Source firmware on any WiFi router.

ThinkPenguin, the EFF, FSF, Software Freedom Law Center, Software Freedom Conservancy, OpenWRT, LibreCMC, Qualcomm, and others have created the SaveWiFi campaign, providing instructions on how to submit a formal complaint to the FCC regarding this proposed rule. The comment period is closing on September 8, 2015. Leave a comment for the FCC.

4 of 242 comments (clear)

  1. Build your own router by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You can buy an ALIX or Soekris board with a case and wifi card, then install your favorite router distribution on it such as pfSense

  2. Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    We don't want you to be able to overwrite our back doors.

  3. Consumer Private Key by Immerial · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I wish someone would make this stuff to have a consumer private key... say like a USB drive that is plugged in the router when you get it. Once you set it up, you pull the USB key. Anytime that the router needs to be updated, you insert your USB key, do you updates, and then pull it when you are done. Ta-dah! Private key to keep it from being compromised and owner has control. You could also add some consumer dummy protection: once it is setup, require the key to be pulled to operate (keeps people from being lazy and leaving the router unlocked), prompt people for the key only when updating.

  4. FCC helping sister agency (NSA) by David+G+Jr · · Score: 3, Interesting

    With NSA hijacking shipments of routers and installing "special" firmware on them wouldn't it be smart of them to have a fellow agency make a law that would stop you from undoing all their hard work. The NSA didn't go to all the trouble of hijacking that truck so you could install clean firmware. I'm surprised this hasn't been brought up in the comments yet. http://yro.slashdot.org/story/... http://tech.slashdot.org/story...