Desktop operating systems
elementary OS privacy rating
An Ubuntu-based Linux distribution with its own Pantheon desktop and apps, and AppCenter, a store for pay-what-you-want apps and Flatpaks.
Summary
elementary OS scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the desktop operating systems criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales. It does not meet independent audit. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.
Score 80 out of 100. How scoring works
Criteria
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Yes
Open source Weight 3 of 3
Is all the source code needed to run the product public?
The elementary OS platform is entirely open source and built on free and open source software.
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Yes
No trackers or telemetry Weight 3 of 3
Are the website and apps free of third-party trackers, with any analytics anonymous and any telemetry off by default?
No third-party trackers, and the operating system collects no data. The website's Plausible analytics are cookieless and aggregate-only.
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Yes
No ads or data sales Weight 2 of 3
Is the product funded without advertising, ad targeting or selling user data?
Funded by users paying what they want for the OS and AppCenter apps, with no ads.
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No
Independent audit Weight 2 of 3
Has an independent security or privacy audit been published within the last three years?
No independent audit is published.