Desktop operating systems
Pop!_OS privacy rating
An Ubuntu-based Linux distribution from the hardware maker System76, with its own COSMIC desktop environment.
Summary
Pop!_OS scores 50 out of 100 (grade D) on the desktop operating systems criteria. It meets 2 of 4 criteria: open source and no ads or data sales. It does not meet no trackers or telemetry and independent audit. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.
Score 50 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?
System76's own components, including the COSMIC desktop, are open source under the GPL-3.0, on top of Ubuntu packages.
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No
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?
Pop!_OS sends no telemetry or error reports, but the website loads Google Analytics and HubSpot.
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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 System76 hardware sales. System76 states it does not sell user data.
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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.