> By what mechanism do you propose we stop a bank from saying "we'll only support connections from iOS devices", if not the democratic market force of ensuring enough of their customers demand access from devices running free and open source software?
Similar to all the accessibility requirements, of course. Do you think the society / government should force banks to provide services to blind or deaf people? Or should we just let the market decide?
In a sense, that is the solution: ensure availability through open standards (like the web platform) through legislation.
My bank has stopped issuing physical TOTP tokens years ago, and I am holding on to one from 2006: when that one dies, I won't be able to use their e-banking web site if I do not have an Android or iOS locked-down phone.
Not, that does not mean making it a protected class. But instead, guaranteeing access through open protocols and open platforms should be sufficient.
I also hope legislation, like CRA/NIS2 in EU and different e-waste regulations combined, will push manufacturers to consider FOSS approach as a get-out-of-jail card too.
Accessibility requirements are completely unrelated to protected classes.
I never stated that its never reasonable or good to force corporations to behave against their interests. What you stated is that the "mechanism" might be to treat a person's chosen software stack as a protected class. I can't agree with this, in any sense, and I think you're just trying to distract the conversation by suggesting it.