{
  "slug": "visual-studio-code",
  "category": "code-editors",
  "name": "Visual Studio Code",
  "description": "Microsoft's code editor with built-in Git support, debugging, AI features and an extension marketplace. Built from the MIT-licensed Code - OSS repository, with Microsoft branding and proprietary components.",
  "website": "https://code.visualstudio.com",
  "source": "https://github.com/microsoft/vscode",
  "license": "MIT",
  "platforms": [
    "windows",
    "macos",
    "linux",
    "web"
  ],
  "jurisdiction": {
    "code": "US",
    "name": "United States",
    "eyes": "Five Eyes",
    "eu": false,
    "gdpr": false,
    "cloud_act": "provider"
  },
  "pick": false,
  "pick_reason": null,
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "D",
  "score": 50,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "Visual Studio Code scores 50 out of 100 (grade D) on the code editors criteria. It meets 1 of 4 criteria: no ads or data sales. It partly meets open source and no trackers or telemetry. It does not meet independent audit. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/code-editors/visual-studio-code/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/code-editors/visual-studio-code/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/supporting/faq#_what-is-the-difference-between-the-vscode-repository-and-the-microsoft-visual-studio-code-distribution",
      "note": "The Code - OSS source is MIT, but Microsoft's Visual Studio Code builds add proprietary components under a Microsoft product license."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/configure/telemetry",
      "note": "Crash reports, error telemetry and usage data are sent to Microsoft by default and can be turned off with the telemetry.telemetryLevel setting. Extensions may send their own telemetry."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/supporting/faq#_is-vs-code-free",
      "note": "Free product from Microsoft with no ads in the editor."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "No independent audit is published."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": null,
    "observatory": null,
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": [],
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T06:59:43.731Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T07:44:20Z"
}