Here is a quote from GNU's website:
What is GNU? GNU is an operating system that is free software—that is, it respects users' freedom. The GNU operating system consists of GNU packages (programs specifically released by the GNU Project) as well as free software released by third parties. The development of GNU made it possible to use a computer without software that would trample your freedom.
In short free and with liberty. The freedom to make choices and not be controled by third parties like Google, microsoft, Apple and the like
I love how GNU thanks to Richard Stallman used copy-right to protect copy-left. In short "You can have this software for free for any purpose" but if you release the code your modifications must also be shared under the same copy-left licence.
Most people take the easy road, no matter where it leads. We see this with the environment. Everyone is so protective of their children but seem quite happy to be slowly killing them by sysamatically distroying the very thing that gives them life. Bonkers by any logic. There is a sort of calmness a kind of spirituality in running ethical software and not worrying about converting the masses. The year of the Linux desktop
and the like only lets the hoards of poluters in to piss in the water. Those that want a Floss experiance will find a way