November 3, 2022
SourceHut has updated its terms of service, which will take effect in 2023. Changes include the cancellation of software projects on SourceHut that use cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, citing their use in get-rich-quick systems and other types of fraud.
According to SourceHut, “These domains are strongly associated with fraudulent activities and high-risk investments which take advantage of people who are suffering from economic hardship and growing global wealth inequality. Few to no legitimate use-cases for this technology have been found; instead, it is mostly used for fraudulent “get-rich-quick” schemes and to facilitate criminal activity, such as ransomware, illicit trade, and sanctions evasion.”
According to SourceHut founder and creator Drew DeVault, the ban is applied with some discretion, meaning that developers who believe that their use of cryptocurrency or blockchain “is not plagued by these social problems” can seek permission to host it on SourceHut or challenge its removal by contacting support. Otherwise, they have until January 1, 2023, to move a prohibited project to another platform.
SourceHut added that it sends the new changes to the terms of service to all users whenever it is possible to reduce the number of annoying emails that everyone has to deal with.
Other changes made by SourceHut include the application of Dutch law as a result of the planned transition to Europe, the inclusion of threats and harassment of others in the list of prohibited behaviors, and the revised content license to ensure that SourceHut has enough rights to content, as well as permission to display content on its website.
The sources for this piece include an article in TechRepublic.
