The Shrinking Freedom of Operating Systems, Why Alternatives Matter

Note: I've used generative AI to fix grammar and spellings only.

Over the past decade, we’ve seen a concerning trend: mainstream operating systems, once considered platforms of innovation, are increasingly shifting toward control and restriction. Microsoft, for example, has been criticized for blocking access to certain services in specific regions [1], while Android — which was originally presented as open source — is effectively dominated by Google’s proprietary ecosystem.

Bootloaders on many Android devices are now harder to unlock, justified under the banner of “security,” yet security without true privacy loses its meaning. Meanwhile, recent policy changes demand app developers to register as “verified” developers, further centralizing power in the hands of gatekeepers [2].

Windows users also face issues: Microsoft has been accused of collecting telemetry, auto-installing bloatware, and even enabling screen capture under some remote control and corporate policies [3]. Similarly, Android and Windows both come packed with pre-installed apps that benefit vendors more than users [4].

Thankfully, Linux remains a powerful counterbalance. It represents freedom, flexibility, and community-driven development. It’s not perfect — and let’s imagine one day Linux “messes up” (just joking) — but its very existence pressures corporations to rethink their boundaries. On mobile, projects like GrapheneOS and LineageOS show that alternatives can be secure and stable, though users are often locked out by device restrictions.

This is where projects like XenevaOS aim to make a difference. It’s still early, but the vision is to create a free and open-source operating system that pushes competition in healthier directions. Critics often ask, “Why reinvent the wheel?” — and honestly, we accept that challenge. Right now, the best answer is: yes, we’re reinventing the wheel. Maybe we don’t have a perfect justification yet, but meaningful answers come from building, not just talking.

We welcome the criticism. In fact, it’s what sharpens open-source projects and makes them resilient. Keep questioning us, because it forces us to rethink, refine, and deliver something better.

Footnotes:

[1] Reuters – Microsoft restricts cloud services for Indian oil refiner Nayara Energy
[2] Google – Play Console policy: Developer verification
[3] The Verge – Windows 11 privacy and telemetry concerns
[4] Ars Technica – Android OEM bloatware controversy