Pluralistic: Jailbreaking isn't theft (25 Jun 2026)
9 hours ago
- Jailbreaking an iPhone is not theft; it enables users to install software from alternative sources, which is a legitimate right for device owners.
- Canada's digital sovereignty is threatened by reliance on US tech services like Microsoft 365 and Apple, which Trump can terminate, paralyzing the country.
- Canadian law criminalizes jailbreaking, a holdover from trade agreements with the US that Trump has violated, costing Canada billions in potential revenue.
- Legalizing jailbreaking could allow Canadian businesses to compete with US tech giants, reducing 30% app store fees and boosting local economies.
- Apple's founders used illegal circumvention devices (Blue Boxes) to finance their company, yet Apple now uses similar laws to stifle competition.
- Canada should focus on becoming a 'disenshittification nation' by legalizing jailbreaking, not on building its own AI, to enhance resilience and profit.