Linux & Open Source News Will Ablockers be banned? DoS on the AUR, Steam Console rumors
Aug 23, 2025
Germany might ban ad blockers, raising questions about user privacy. There's no succession plan for Linux after Linus Torvalds. Rumors swirl around a new Steam Console from Valve. Meanwhile, Ubuntu is building experimental desktop images, and the Arch repositories are facing service disruptions. Plus, GNOME 49 beta is now available for testing, and Pine64 is stepping back from the Pinephone. Exciting developments and challenges are shaping the Linux landscape!
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Client-Side Blocking Could Be At Risk
- Reopening the German Adblock Plus case could set a global precedent restricting client-side content modification.
- This threatens ad-, tracker-blockers, accessibility tweaks, and password manager UI changes.
No Formal Succession For Linux Leadership
- The Linux kernel currently relies on organic leadership emergence rather than a formal succession plan.
- That lack of planning risks fragmentation or corporate power struggles if Linus Torvalds steps down unexpectedly.
Leaks Suggest A Valve Home Console
- Multiple Geekbench entries for 'Valve Fremont' hint at Valve testing a powerful AMD-based home console.
- The Windows listing is odd, so leaks could be tests, hype, or spoofing rather than a final product reveal.