Open Source Pioneer Richard Stallman Resigns from MIT and Free Software Foundation
Richard Stallman steps down from MIT CSAIL and the Free Software Foundation after facing severe backlash for defending Jeffrey Epstein and downplaying sexual assault. His departure adds to the growing crisis at MIT regarding the institution's ties to the convicted sex trafficker.
Computer scientist Richard Stallman resigns from his position as a visiting scientist at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab and steps down as president of the Free Software Foundation. This decision follows intense backlash over emails in which he describes a victim of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein as "entirely willing" and argues against the use of the term "sexual assault" in accusations.
Stallman faces additional scrutiny after reports reveal that he previously advocates for the legalization of child pornography and the abolition of age of consent laws on his personal blog. He characterizes his resignation as a response to pressure on both himself and MIT, dismissing the widespread condemnation as a series of "misunderstandings."
These developments unfold amid a broader crisis at MIT regarding its financial relationship with Epstein, who reportedly directed $7.5 million in donations to the MIT Media Lab. The scandal prompts the recent resignation of Media Lab director Joi Ito and exposes a previously undisclosed 2012 thank-you letter from MIT president Rafael Reif to the convicted sex offender.