tibbi (original creator of SMT) is of the opinion that relicensing the code isn't a big deal because they wrote almost all of it.
The fact remains that the sale wasn't announced and many users found it inadvertently. Many more may still be unaware that the apps they believe to be open source have turned into spyware/deceptiveware. The author seems to have sold the privacy of unsuspecting users to a spyware company. The situation isn't as simple or innocent as 'I wrote most of the code so I have the right to do it.
It's extremely annoying when open source software terms are changed and the authors downplay the impact like this. It also applies to other cases like browser extensions and cloud software. Besides privacy, they also disregard the contributions and promotions others make.
I agree. I am on the author's telegram channel where he continuously "bragged" about how he didn't use ads for support and said everyone should run away from ad supported app. And then suddenly he sold his work to an ad supporting company? It is his work, his choice but he lost all my respect and trust after this episode. At the least he could have warned on his telegram channel, but it has been crickets there since Oct 30th.
Comments
The fact remains that the sale wasn't announced and many users found it inadvertently. Many more may still be unaware that the apps they believe to be open source have turned into spyware/deceptiveware. The author seems to have sold the privacy of unsuspecting users to a spyware company. The situation isn't as simple or innocent as 'I wrote most of the code so I have the right to do it.
It's extremely annoying when open source software terms are changed and the authors downplay the impact like this. It also applies to other cases like browser extensions and cloud software. Besides privacy, they also disregard the contributions and promotions others make.
I agree. I am on the author's telegram channel where he continuously "bragged" about how he didn't use ads for support and said everyone should run away from ad supported app. And then suddenly he sold his work to an ad supporting company? It is his work, his choice but he lost all my respect and trust after this episode. At the least he could have warned on his telegram channel, but it has been crickets there since Oct 30th.
Anyway, donations coming for Naveen Singh!