#1140659 powerdevil: Lacks permissions to access I2C devices

Package:
powerdevil
Source:
powerdevil
Description:
Global power saver settings.
Submitter:
Borden
Date:
2026-06-24 09:13:03 UTC
Severity:
normal
#1140659#5
Date:
2026-06-24 09:10:31 UTC
From:
To:
Dear Maintainer,

There are repeated errors in journald to this effect:

org_kde_powerdevil: Exception in function i2c_all_relevant_i2c_buses_rw:
status=EACCES(-13): Permission denied
org_kde_powerdevil:  libddcutil requires RW access to all /dev/i2c devices that
might be used for DDC.
org_kde_powerdevil: Caused by:
org_kde_powerdevil:  Exception in function i2c_open_bus_basic:
status=EACCES(-13): Permission denied
org_kde_powerdevil:  Open failed for /dev/i2c-0, errno=EACCES(-13): Permission
denied in file i2c_bus_cor>

I understand from my brief research that Debian sets /dev/i2c* root ownership,
which breaks non-privileged processes trying to access it. From
https://www.kubuntuforums.net/forum/current-supported-
releases/kubuntu-26-04/692450-trying-to-solve-kde-plasma-power-management-
powerdevil-configuration-bug%E2%80%A6 , it seems that udev rules or relaxing
permissions or ownership quickly solves the issue.

However, before adding exceptions, I'm wondering whether Debian can ship with a
recommended udev file or some other workaround.