• Planned Protests at FOSDEM 2025: There are planned protests due to a scheduled controversial talk. The talk is on the schedule for sponsorship reasons and some speakers are controversial to some attendees.
• Policy on Talk Selection: In 25 years, the hard rule is that sponsorship does not give preferential treatment for talk selection. This policy applies in this case and will continue in the future. Claims that talks were allowed for sponsorship reasons are false.
• Attitude towards Protest: FOSDEM has always allowed and welcomed protests, even when directed at the organization or sponsors. Open Source and Free Software are political, and attendees are more vocal. If a peaceful protest takes place during the talk and does not disrupt proceedings, no action will be taken.
• Request for Advance Contact: Those organizing a protest are requested to contact mailto:info@fosdem.org in advance to ensure meeting crowd control and fire safety obligations.