Desktop operating systems
NixOS privacy rating
A Linux distribution built on the Nix package manager, where the whole system is configured declaratively and upgrades can be rolled back.
Summary
NixOS 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 Netherlands: Nine Eyes member; EU member (GDPR).
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?
Nixpkgs and NixOS are MIT-licensed; packaged software keeps its own licenses.
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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?
The privacy policy lists only server logs, with no analytics on the website and no telemetry in the operating system.
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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 donations and sponsorships to the NixOS Foundation, 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.