Desktop operating systems
Ubuntu privacy rating
A Debian-based Linux distribution developed by Canonical, with regular and long-term support releases for desktops, servers and cloud.
Summary
Ubuntu scores 40 out of 100 (grade D) on the desktop operating systems criteria. It meets 1 of 4 criteria: open source. It partly meets no ads or data sales. It does not meet no trackers or telemetry and independent audit. It is based in the United Kingdom: Five Eyes member; GDPR-style data protection law; CLOUD Act data access agreement with the US.
Score 40 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?
Built from open source packages, with licences listed per package. Optional proprietary drivers are available.
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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?
The website loads Google Tag Manager. Sharing system information with Canonical is offered during installation and at first login.
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Partial
No ads or data sales Weight 2 of 3
Is the product funded without advertising, ad targeting or selling user data?
Funded by Canonical's commercial services, and personal data is not sold. The package manager and login messages promote Canonical's paid Ubuntu Pro service.
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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.