In the Windows 11 upgrade thread we had a divergence regarding Publisher/Affinity where I noted that you couldn't buy Affinity at the moment due to "Creative Freedom" coming and no-one was sure what this meant and whether Affinity would become subscription based. Well, not only is not subscription based the whole package is now free.
As an Affinity user (Photo) I registered to keep up to date with the developments and yesterday downloaded the new, complete, package. Haven't had any free time to check it out nor to view the released video announcement about this which you can watch here: Affinity Release Announcement

This may prove good news for very many creative people here. Time will tell of course 

Nice! Although, as a recent retiree, I hope to never use DTP software again, it’s good to know there’s a viable free option.

Nice! Although, as a recent retiree, I hope to never use DTP software again, it’s good to know there’s a viable free option.

It's a bit more groundbreaking than that Jen. What they've done is amalgamate Photo, Designer and Publisher into one package that shares the same file formats and all can interact with each other thus making the creative process much simpler and more convenient. I only ever used MS Publisher in a fairly general way in the past, and not now for some years, and, as Infinity Publisher was a paid for application, I can offer no comparison never having used the latter and outright design work is way above my capabilities so no comment there either. But I have used both Photoshop (although only the Elements version) and Affinity Photo and Affinity is easily on a par with Adobe's software. One is better than the other in different areas - for example Photoshop was needed for .RAW photos as Affinity couldn't handle them (hopefully that's changed) and I found Affinity's method of removing unwanted items from  photos much easier than Adobe's.
In, and of, itself the merging of all 3 applications is pretty amazing although we'll have to see how well it actually works but to give the whole away is astounding. It's not 100% free in reality because you have to have a Canva licence (starts at $100 yearly I think) if you want to use their AI tools but, other than that, you get everything else, no downgrades, for nothing.
Canva have timed the release rather well given MS Publisher 365 is now out of commission for ever on the day they release the new Affinity. Adobe and Microsoft, plus their shareholders, must be a trifle concerned.
In case anyone is concerned about their original, paid for, Affinity applications, I've installed the new version and my stand-alone Affinity Photo still works. In fact it just  installed a free upgrade.
Just got to start playing around on the new thing which, also as a  retiree, although many years into retirement, I'm looking forward to

I have downloaded this new combined and "free" Affinity version as well.
The first thing I made sure before even starting the software was to check the settings in my (new) Canva profile: Collecting data for their AI was enabled by default in the privacy settings.

I am not sure if this was just for my account for some reason.
@Jabod Have you checked those settings?

I have downloaded this new combined and "free" Affinity version as well.
The first thing I made sure before even starting the software was to check the settings in my (new) Canva profile: Collecting data for their AI was enabled by default in the privacy settings.

I am not sure if this was just for my account for some reason.
@Jabod Have you checked those settings?

I don't have a Canva account Hexenwerk, just an Affinity one. As I typed that I wondered if my Affinity account was added to Canva when they took over Affinity so checked. And it had although I had to agree to it when I went there. And, like you, the privacy settings were not what I wanted and turned everything off so thanks for the warning.
In the video I linked to in my original post they said that the AI that you used wouldn't be "borrowed" for training said AI which is fine. They neglected to point out that collecting personal data for marketing was turned on. I'm aware that's normal for most internet based companies but a touch misleading I feel.
It's doubtful I'll ever use the Canva side of things but you never know so, once again, thanks for the heads up.