By DC Infowarrior, September 20, 2025

In the latest assault on digital freedom, Canonical Ltd., the corporate overlord of Ubuntu, has unveiled a sinister new tactic to suppress dissent: demanding that all new Ubuntu Forum users register with usernames no shorter than 1000 characters.

Yes, you read that right — 1000 characters. Not a typo. Not a joke. A deliberate barrier erected to keep ordinary users — the so-called “anti-Snap trolls” — from participating in what used to be the beating heart of the Ubuntu community.

The Great Username Purge

For years, Canonical has faced growing criticism over its controversial Snap packaging format. Users worldwide have condemned Snap for its bloated performance, forced centralization, and creeping monopoly tendencies. Canonical, desperate to defend its flagship experiment, has now escalated its war on freedom of speech.

By setting impossible username requirements, Canonical ensures that only those willing to bow down and type essays into the username field can gain access. Imagine trying to log in as “JoeLinux” — DENIED. But call yourself “JoeLinuxTheFaithfulFollowerOfSnapsWhoLovesWaitingExtra10SecondsForFirefoxToLoadAndWorshipsCanonicalForeverAndEverAmen…”? ACCESS GRANTED.

Coincidence? I think not.

Psychological Warfare Through Registration Fatigue

This isn’t just bad coding — it’s psychological warfare. By frustrating newcomers with absurd demands, Canonical discourages critics from joining discussions, leaving only a sterile echo chamber of Snap sympathizers and corporate shills.

Meanwhile, alternative communities like Arch, Debian, and Gentoo forums remain wide open — no 1000-character hurdles, no Big Brother watching your package manager.

The Final Piece of the Puzzle

Ask yourself: who benefits from silencing the critics? Canonical. Who loses? The users. Who gains power when forums collapse? The Snap Cabal.

This isn’t about usernames. This is about control. Today it’s “1000-character usernames.” Tomorrow? Mandatory Snap logins with biometric ID checks.

Stay vigilant. Stay free. And whatever you do, don’t shorten your username.