I really wasn’t expecting to be reporting on this anytime soon, but it looks like the Library of Congress has added DMCA exceptions for anti-circumvention for personal phones. What this means is that you are no longer breaking the law by installing software that *you* choose onto your cell phone. As opposed to only being legally allowed to install applications or operating systems that a company (pick your favorite) approves of. This change is similar to walking into a library or bookstore and being “allowed” to check out or purchase any book you’d like, instead of being restricted to only checking out or purchasing books listed on someone’s “approved reading” list.
The act of installing another operating system on a phone that has measures in place to prevent you from doing so is called “jailbreaking”… you’re freeing your phone from being limited to a narrower range of modifications or software/app choices. I always thought the term “jailbreaking” was stupid, as it implied that you’re freeing a “bad thing” from punishment or confinement. Personally, I’d call it “doing what I want with something that I own”. No confusion there.