Bug#1063605: debian-policy: mandate use of `dpkg-buildflags` for all software compilation on Debian

On Mon, Feb 09, 2026 at 10:40:20AM -0800, Russ Allbery wrote:
> > Thus I think this sentence to be overstated:
> 
> > 'the package maintainer is prepared to track future changes to the default
> > compiler flags and update the package as necessary'
> 
> For example, if we add new flags for reproducible builds, the packages
> that don't use dpkg-buildflags really should pick those up, because
> reproducible builds is a general distribution goal. "Should," not "must,"
> but it feels to me like should is appropriate here.

But then tracking Debian policy is sufficient (and mandatory already),
so tracking dpkg-buildflags is not needed.

To get back to my previous message, a change to dpkg-buildflags cannot
by itself change Debian policy, thus it is not necessary to track it to
follow policy.

Cheers,