# Asuswrt-Merlin privacy rating

Customized version of the stock Asus router firmware that fixes known issues and adds features such as user scripts and extended VPN options, while keeping Asus features and hardware acceleration.

## Summary

Asuswrt-Merlin scores 35 out of 100 (grade F) on the router firmware criteria. It meets 1 of 4 criteria: no ads or data sales. It partly meets open source. It does not meet no trackers or telemetry and independent audit.

- Website: https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net
- Source code: https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng
- Home page trackers: Cloudflare Web Analytics (cookieless analytics), Google Tag Manager
- Category: [Router firmware](https://privacyratings.com/router-firmware/)
- Grade: F (35/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | Partial | GPL-2.0 base, but includes proprietary binary components from Asus, Broadcom, Trend Micro and Tuxera. | https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng/blob/main/README.proprietary |
| No trackers or telemetry | No | The website loads Google Tag Manager. | https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/ |
| No ads or data sales | Yes | Developed by an independent developer and supported by PayPal donations, with no ads. | https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/ |
| Independent audit | No | No independent audit is published. |  |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/router-firmware/asuswrt-merlin/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/router-firmware/asuswrt-merlin.md