Bits of Freedom

Bits of Freedom defends privacy and freedom of communication in the Netherlands. It examines how technology affects our rights, follows legislation and helps people gain more control over their digital lives. We support this work because digital rights need protection in practice, not just on paper.

Freedom Internet

Freedom Internet is a Dutch internet provider committed to a free and open internet. Privacy, free communication and access to information are set out in its corporate charter. Stichting Appeltaart safeguards these principles.

We support Freedom for that social commitment, not just for the internet connection. ASK-Solutions and our employees are founding members of Freedom Internet.

EDRi

European Digital Rights brings together organisations defending digital rights in Europe. Its work includes privacy, freedom of expression and protection against indiscriminate surveillance. We support this collective effort: the influence of technology companies and European legislation does not stop at the Dutch border.

Free Software Foundation

The Free Software Foundation defends the freedom to use, study, modify and share software. Free means freedom here, not necessarily free of charge. This matches our view that people should be able to understand and adapt their technology without depending entirely on its original supplier.

Repair Preservation Group

We support Repair Preservation Group's work on the right to repair and access to repair knowledge. People who own a device should be able to choose who repairs it. Parts, tools and documentation should not present unnecessary barriers. That principle applies to a phone just as much as to a machine.

Consumer Rights Wiki

The Consumer Rights Wiki is a collaboratively edited knowledge project of the FULU Foundation. It documents issues including repair restrictions, the loss of digital purchases and other practices that undermine users' rights.

We support making this information accessible. Concrete examples and sources help people understand what a product or service does and does not allow them to do.

Trabiss International

Trabiss supplies measuring equipment and digital readouts for lathes and milling machines, among other tools. What matters to us is the opportunity to modernise existing machines. A useful machine does not need replacing just because its readout or controls are dated. We support that approach: building on what is already there.

Prusa Research

Prusa makes 3D printers and publishes detailed assembly, maintenance and repair guides. Build kits, spare parts and upgrades are available for various models. The company also develops open-source software such as PrusaSlicer.

We support this attention to building, maintaining and improving equipment yourself. Available parts and designs vary by model; those practical possibilities are what matter to us.

Rossmann Repair Group

Louis Rossmann shares repairs, fault diagnosis and the obstacles faced by independent repairers. This shows what it takes to restore devices and where manufacturers make that harder. We support the sharing of this practical knowledge and his work on the right to repair. A successful repair helps the owner; explaining that repair can help many more people.

Fillamentum

Fillamentum develops 3D-printing filaments and publishes material data and processing advice. We support this combination of materials development and knowledge sharing. A useful part needs more than a good-looking print: how the material responds to loads, heat and its working environment matters too. Good documentation helps people make an informed choice.

Damen CNC

Damen CNC supplies components and solutions for building and adapting CNC machines. We support the ability to assemble a machine from suitable components or convert existing equipment. Access to parts, technical information and practical machine knowledge helps makers make their own choices.

Dalibor Farny

A book can explain what a nixie tube is, but that does not mean you can make one. You also need machinery, materials knowledge and experience: which tools do you use, how do you set them up, and how do you tell whether the process is working?

Dalibor Farny has rebuilt the process of making nixie tubes. We support that work because it preserves not just the tubes themselves, but also the practical skills needed to make them. Knowledge remains useful when people can keep putting it into practice.

Rob Braxman

Rob Braxman produces privacy education and works on alternatives to services that collect extensive user data. His initiatives include BytzVPN and BytzTOR and Brax.Me.

We support his efforts to explain tracking and help people become less dependent on large platforms. It remains important to consider what each tool actually protects: a VPN alone does not make you anonymous.

Ubiquiti

Ubiquiti makes networking equipment. On equipment we work with, we have made our own firmware modifications to adapt its behaviour to our needs. That scope for independent management and modification matters to us. It does not necessarily apply across the range: capabilities and restrictions need to be checked for each device and software version.

MikroTik

We use MikroTik in our own office network and data centre. RouterOS provides extensive routing, firewall and network-monitoring options. This helps us control the configuration and examine what is happening on the network. Those management capabilities inform our choice, not an assumption that every model suits every situation.

Netgate

Netgate develops pfSense and supplies firewall and routing equipment. Local management, a clear configuration and extensive documentation matter most to us. They let us decide how a network is protected and maintained.

We distinguish between the open-source Community Edition and pfSense Plus, which has different licensing terms. Hardware, software and support need to suit the application.

Axis

We use Axis network cameras for their local management options, integration with other systems and long-term software support. A locally configured camera system can operate without sending footage to a cloud service. That is an important principle for us.

Axis also offers cloud services, so the chosen configuration and specific model remain important. We consider the published support period and the VAPIX and ACAP options for our own integrations.

System76

System76 builds computers for Linux and develops software including Pop!_OS. What matters to us is that Linux is part of its support and development, not an afterthought. Models with open-source firmware can also offer more insight into what runs beneath the operating system. We check firmware availability for each model.

Pogo Linux

Pogo Linux focuses on Linux servers, workstations and storage solutions. This is relevant when a system needs to fit an environment we manage ourselves. We consider support for the chosen Linux distribution, the hardware configuration and the options for replacing or expanding components later.

Purism

Purism develops computers and mobile devices with an emphasis on free software and privacy, including through PureOS. Several models have physical switches that can disable particular components, such as the camera and microphone.

That direct control over hardware fits our principles. Available switches, firmware and software vary by device. It is a reason to consider a model, not a guarantee that a device protects against every form of tracking or misuse.

Star Labs

Star Labs makes computers designed for Linux. Its operating-system choices and open-source firmware options are relevant to us. They allow the software to suit the user rather than the other way around. We check available distributions, firmware and maintenance options for each model.