Open source and privacy: What it means, when it matters
Understand why open source software is often a key signal of privacy, and why it’s not always a guarantee
If you can’t see the code, how do you know what it’s doing?
That’s the question privacy pros ask themselves when choosing tools that handle their data. And for many, it’s why open source software is a must-have.
But here’s the truth: just because something is open source doesn’t mean it’s automatically secure. And just because something’s closed source doesn’t mean it’s a privacy disaster.
Today, we’re tackling a topic that pops up a lot in privacy discussions but can feel confusing if you’re new to digital privacy: open source software.
This post is for readers who have ever wondered why privacy experts prefer open source tools and whether they’re always the best choice for keeping your data safe.
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What Is Open Source Software?
Open source software is software whose source code (the blueprint that makes it work) is publicly available. Anyone can inspect, modify, or contribute to it.
Think of it like a recipe shared openly, where you can view the ingredients, amounts, etc. Examples include:
Signal is open source. WhatsApp is not.
Bitwarden is open source. LastPass is not.
Brave browser is open source. Google Chrome and Safari are not.
CalyxOS and Graphene OS are open source. iOS and Google Android are not.
Cake wallet and Metamask are open source crypto wallets. Coinbase’s crypto wallet is not.
Open source gives people the ability to verify how the software works, rather than just trusting a marketing claim.
Why Open Source Software Is a Privacy Win
When it comes to protecting your data, open source software has some big advantages:
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