The Latin American Free Software Foundation recently announced the release of a completely free version of the Linux 7.1 kernel – Linux-libre 7.1-gnu. This version has been cleared of firmware and driver elements that contain non-free components or code sections, which are typically limited by the manufacturer. In addition, Linux-libre disables kernel functions that load external non-free components not included in the kernel distribution and removes references to the use of non-free components from the documentation.
In order to ensure the kernel is free of non-free parts, the Linux-libre project developed a universal shell script that includes numerous templates for detecting binary inserts and eliminating false positives. Users can also access ready-made patches created with this script. The Linux-libre kernel is recommended for use in distributions that adhere to the criteria set forth by the Free Software Foundation for building completely free GNU/Linux distributions. It is currently utilized in distributions such as GNU Guix System, Dragora Linux, Trisquel, Dyne:Bolic, gNewSense, Parabola, Musix, and Kongoni.
In the latest release of Linux-libre 7.1-gnu, updates have been made to the blob cleaning code in various drivers including Nova-core, btmtk, qat_6xxx, amdgpu, m88ds3103, saa7164, r8169, ath12k, mt792x, and mt7996. This release also addresses build issues when using Rust and enhances blob cleaning in new drivers for Lontium LT8713SX DP MST and Realtek 802.11be 8922D chips. Additionally, blob names in dts files for Aarch64 architecture have been cleaned up, while the cleaning process for fore200e, acenic, yam, smc91c92_cs, and speedfax drivers, which have been removed from the kernel, has been halted.