Dear Evan,
Thank you for your message and for sharing your concerns.

Repair Café International’s goal is to bring repair — in a modern and accessible way — back into local communities. Our mission is to preserve and share repair knowledge, and to strengthen social cohesion by connecting neighbours from diverse backgrounds and motivations through hands-on gatherings.

In practice, we do this by supporting local organisers with additional services, such as providing repair materials.

We see Linux as one of many ways to repair a computer. Many devices become unsafe to use because of outdated software, they are artificially aged to seem obsolete.
Installing Linux can extend the lifecycle of such computers.

We are not competing with any commercial product; in fact, our materials also discuss how to install Linux on MacBooks. Our goal is to address the problem of planned obsolescence and discarded unnecessarily. We offer a practical, volunteer-driven solution — not a replacement product or commercial alternative.

Each Repair Café is entirely free to decide whether or not to make use of the research and starter kit we have developed.

We are also very clear about the risks of data loss. Our materials include clear disclaimers to ensure that users understand and accept these risks before any installation is carried out.

Best,
Rieneke

*Legal and Compliance Risks

‘Implied endorsement versus neutral support’
If the service is presented as a “replacement” for any Windows OS, and if there is particularly reference the Microsoft’s support lifecycle, it risks being interpreted as promoting migration away from a proprietary product. This could attract scrutiny from Microsoft’s legal or compliance teams, especially if it is framed as a workaround to paid Extended Security Updates (ESUs) as is the Dutch messaging.
Trademark and brand references

Mentioning Microsoft or Windows in promotional materials (for example, “switch from Windows to Linux”) without neutral framing could be construed as comparative advertising or brand misuse. Even indirect implications—such as “Windows is no longer safe”—could be problematic.

‘Liability for outcomes’

If a user’s data is lost, hardware becomes incompatible, or they later regret switching, Repair Café Godalming could be held responsible unless disclaimers and consent protocols are in place.

*Reputational and Governance Risks

‘Perceived activism or bias’
Even if RC offer is framed as “support for those who choose Linux,” the Repair Café’s reputation as a neutral, inclusive service could be questioned. Some users may interpret it as ideological or anti-corporate.

‘Association with unofficial services’
Hosting the service from a non-Repair Cafe loction, ie ‘doing the migration at home or other non RepairCafe’ blurs the boundary between personal initiative and Repair Café endorsement. If something goes wrong, the café’s name could be implicated. Are processes established/drafted to resolve this and these must be used.

‘Inconsistency with Repair Café International’
Although Dutch Repair Cafés may promote Linux, surely every Repair Café must consider UK-specific sensitivities, particularly around digital rights, consumer protection, and software licensing. Have the Dutch team completed any impact assessment?

*Operational and Safety Risks

‘Data protection and GDPR’
If a Repair Cafe handles user data (for example, backups, email setup), the Repair Cafe must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Operating from any non Repair Cafe location, i.e. a private residence, adds complexity around data security and consent. Any draft policy available covering this?

‘Technical support boundaries’
Linux installations vary widely in complexity. Without a clearly defined scope (for example, Linux Mint only, no dual-boot, no enterprise setups), other RCG volunteers may be overwhelmed or users may expect more than is feasible. Is this scope defined in the information pack?

‘Hardware compatibility and driver issues’
Users may bring devices with proprietary drivers or unsupported chipsets. If installation fails or disables functionality (for example, Wi-Fi, printers), it could erode RC trust. Is this addressed in the information pack?

*Risk Mitigation Recommendations

‘Neutral framing’
Repair Cafes should position the service as “support for alternative operating systems including Linux” rather than “replacement for Windows.”.

‘Clear disclaimers’
Repair Cafes should publish a document outlining what the service does and does not cover, including user responsibilities, data backup requirements, and post-installation support limits. We need to protect Repair Cafes.
‘Consent and waiver form’
Repair Cafes consumes should have users sign the an expanded form acknowledging risks, confirming backups, and accepting that the service is volunteer-led and not liable for outcomes.
‘Website language audit’
Ensure no phrasing implies criticism of Microsoft or promotion of Linux as superior. Stick to factual, user-choice language.

Currently, I am not supportive of the Repair Cafe Linux service until the service definition covers all these risks,

Hallo Gerard,

Wat goed dat je met een Linux Repair Café aan de slag wilt.
Je kunt je hier aanmelden voor de starterskit: https://www.repaircafe.org/registreren/