GNU Linux-libre 7.3-gnu has been released by the Free Software Foundation Latin America, offering a fully free version of the Linux 7.3 kernel by removing proprietary binary blobs from drivers. While this enhances auditability and freedom, it comes with trade-offs, as users may find that certain hardware, particularly sound, video, and Wi-Fi components, may not function properly due to the absence of proprietary firmware. The release involves meticulous work to strip out newly introduced blobs in various drivers, highlighting the ongoing challenge of maintaining hardware compatibility without proprietary elements. Available through multiple distribution formats, GNU Linux-libre aims to offer a fully auditable system, though users must weigh the cost of hardware support against their desire for software freedom

GNU Linux-libre 7.3-gnu Released: Fully Free Kernel Based on Linux 7.3

The Free Software Foundation Latin America has released GNU Linux-libre 7.3-gnu, a 100% free rebuild of the just-upstream Linux 7.3 kernel that landed one day earlier. Its main job was clearing proprietary binary blobs out of drivers like the Tyr Mali GPU, Morse Micro and NXP Wi-Fi, plus a longer list of pre-existing graphics and network components. Freedom comes at a cost: some sound, video, and especially Wi-Fi and hardware won't work, and the kernel doesn't push CPU microcode updates tied to security fixes. It's available via git, tarballs, or compiled .deb and .rpm packages for anyone building a fully auditable GNU/Linux system.

GNU Linux-libre 7.3-gnu Released: Fully Free Kernel Based on Linux 7.3 @ Linux Compatible