Qubes Debian templates have non-free/contrib (apt) by default

And it is only installed if it’s necessary, unlike in Qubes. Also it allows to switch it off, unlike Qubes:

From Debian 12, the installer will automatically check for needed firmware blobs and add them as required. If you would prefer it not to, add

firmware=never

Debian is a free OS with non-free firmware included. Everything which Debian itself provides/develops is FLOSS, like with Qubes. Debian/Qubes do not develop the firmware and only add it on top of their work and distribute together, which means, one cannot call their .iso “free software” (it can’t be distributed with a FLOSS license).

I agree with you here.

Gratis? Free of charge? Actually, term FLOSS inludes both “free” and “libre”, which should clearly say that these words have different meanings.

I disagree. Whoever didn’t hear about this controversy should hear about it, because it concerns their own freedom and security (as you said yourself).

It is a frequently asked question about Qubes, including this topic. Ordinary people just didn’t hear about both FLOSS and Qubes. The question comes from advanced users. I believe it’s frequent enough at the moment, and even if it wasn’t, it should be in the FAQ for the reason I stated above.