FOSS Projects and Takedown Requests: A Practical Guide

This article explores how Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) projects can effectively handle takedown requests related to copyright, censorship, privacy, and other issues. Key strategies include establishing a formal takedown policy with clear channels and legal requirements; creating a transparent process to carefully review requests; strategically using jurisdiction, prioritizing domestic law; fairly and transparently notifying developers and offering appeals; and publicly documenting takedown activity to resist censorship. F-Droid is revising its takedown policy based on these lessons, emphasizing Dutch law, EU regulations, and community best practices.