@bobjonkman As far as I am aware, #Minecraft is not FOSS. It was created by someone called Notch and developed by a company called #Mojang. It required a Mojang account, even on privately host servers.
Mojang was purchased by #Microsoft, and their accounts were replaced with Microsoft accounts.
I've never played #Minecraft - Is this #Federated software? Is it #FreeSoftware? If so, how can Microsoft control what's happening on someone's private server? Even if such code existed in a #FreeSoftware application, I would have thought there'd be a fork that eliminates that external control. It's time for that now.
But if #Minecraft isn't #FreeSoftware aka Free/Libre Open Source Software, then I really have no sympathies for people running or using it...
One commenter said "Seems like there is a really simple solution here: Don't be a toxic asshole on a public server." But once $CORPORATION starts interfering with privately hosted servers in any way, those servers' independence and existence is permanently threatened.
lnxw48a1 (lnxw48a1@nu.federati.net)'s status on Saturday, 12-Feb-2022 12:12:08 EST
lnxw48a1-------------------- Hi there, Over the course of 2021, millions of Java Edition players switched over to Microsoft accounts. We’re happy that so many of you are already enjoying benefits like a single account for all Minecraft games, two-factor authentication and improved player safety. Starting on 10 March 2022, your Mojang account, which is used to play Minecraft: Java Edition, must be migrated to a Microsoft account to continue playing. Don't worry – everything about your game and how you play will remain the same, including your in-game username, progress, creations and skins. The only change is how you'll log in. Plus, we'll give you a special cape just for migrating!
Be sure to protect your account during migration. Never enter your account details on third-party websites. If you receive an email that asks for your account information, do not respond. Moving your account can only be done through the launcher or on your Minecraft.net account page and only takes a couple of minutes. Mojang will never ask for your account information in any other way. Beware of phishing attempts and keep your account safe! --------------------
I closed my (basically unused after one day) #Minecraft account a long time ago. I'm not going to create a #Microsoft account in order to play a game that I don't play.