# Molly privacy rating

Independent fork of the Signal Android app that connects to the Signal network and adds database encryption with a passphrase, UnifiedPush notifications and a Molly-FOSS build without proprietary Google components.

## Summary

Molly scores 78 out of 100 (grade B) on the messengers criteria. It meets 5 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, end-to-end encrypted by default and metadata protection. It partly meets no phone number needed. It does not meet independent audit and decentralized.

- Website: https://molly.im
- Source code: https://github.com/mollyim/mollyim-android
- License: AGPL-3.0
- Platforms: Android
- Home page trackers: none found
- Category: [Messengers](https://privacyratings.com/messengers/)
- Grade: B (78/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | Yes | AGPL-3.0, and it uses the open-source Signal server. | https://github.com/mollyim/mollyim-android/blob/main/LICENSE |
| No trackers or telemetry | Yes | No trackers or analytics; the Molly-FOSS build also removes proprietary Google components such as FCM and Google Maps. | https://github.com/mollyim/mollyim-android |
| No ads or data sales | Yes | Free software with no ads, funded by donations through Open Collective. | https://opencollective.com/mollyim |
| Independent audit | No | No independent audit is published. |  |
| End-to-end encrypted by default | Yes | All messages and calls, including groups, use the Signal Protocol end to end. | https://signal.org/docs/ |
| No phone number needed | Partial | A phone number is required to register a Signal account, but it is hidden by default and contacts can be reached by username. | https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/6712070553754-Phone-Number-Privacy-and-Usernames |
| Metadata protection | Yes | Uses the Signal network, where sealed sender hides the sender from the server. | https://signal.org/blog/sealed-sender/ |
| Decentralized | No | Connects to the central Signal service. |  |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/messengers/molly/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/messengers/molly.md