privacyguides.org/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md

Contributing Guidelines

Please read this before contributing.

Rules

• Be nice and respectful.
• English only.
• Be constructive.

Quality over Quantity

We're trying to keep it simple and promote the best tools, not all of them.

Software Criteria

Main

• Easy to use. Could your mother use that tool or service? Usability is most important.
• Cross-platform / Accessible.
• Privacy respecting.
• Open Source / free software is preferred but not required.
• Must list source code in source_code.md (if applicable)
• Prioritize Products without Vendor Lock-in (decentralized/self-hostable) or data interoperability.

There can be exceptions if no software is available that meet the criteria.

Note: This criteria applies to all of privacytools.io

Proividers

• Prioritize Products by privacy respecting nationality.

VPN

• Prioritize Products by privacy respecting nationality.
• Cannot be based in USA or UK.
• Must be acessable via free software (i.e OpenVPN, WireGuard)
• Use Encryption
• Accept Cryptocurrency
• No logging policy

Email

• Outside of USA
• Support SMTP SSL
• Accessable Using Free Software (i.e IMAP)

Hardware

• Must be H-Node Class A or Equivlant (if applicable)
• Must prioritize hardware certifications like RYF, OSHWA, and OSI when avalible.
• Cannot lock users to a particular platform.

Software

• Must be able to download over encrypted network (can be a mirror)
• Must be free software

Encryption

• Only verifiable encryption is to be trusted

OSes

• Must state if recommends, depends on, or offers non-free software (contrib)
• No Tracking Policy (opt-in analytics is ok)

Images

• Provider logos are 200px x 70px (example)
• Tool logos are 120px x 120px (example)