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Netbird Android app source code, privacy and ethical concerns #429

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opened 2025-11-20 05:11:13 -05:00 by saavagebueno · 12 comments
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:13 -05:00
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Originally created by @Darin755 on GitHub (Aug 27, 2023).

The problem

As you might be aware, the new netbird app is completely proprietary. Its is developed in secret and spits in the face of Foss. What's worse is that it contains analytics and spyware. So not only does it violate your freedom to study, modify and distribute the source code but it also sends your data back in order to track your activities. This seems like a pretty clear violation of the morals set by free/libre software.

The impact

This course of action has broken a lot of trust. I can no longer expect them to do the right thing and to be on the side of the community. I personally will be moving away from them and I encoage others to do the same unless they change.

what should of happened

Netbird should of created a new repo and walked with the community in order to develop an app that works for all of us. Such an app wouldn't need to be dependent on google analytics and could be shaped by the needs of the community.

what netbird can do in response

I don't think it would be asking to much to get an apology from netbird and to have them open up all the sources. They should have reproducible builds that are Foss and free of spyware.

Please note: I am putting this as a issue as I think it is of great importance. If this issue gets to heated or is polluting the issue tracker then move it to a discussion

Originally created by @Darin755 on GitHub (Aug 27, 2023). ## The problem As you might be aware, the new netbird app is completely proprietary. Its is developed in secret and spits in the face of Foss. What's worse is that it contains analytics and spyware. So not only does it violate your freedom to study, modify and distribute the source code but it also sends your data back in order to track your activities. This seems like a pretty clear violation of the morals set by free/libre software. ## The impact This course of action has broken a lot of trust. I can no longer expect them to do the right thing and to be on the side of the community. I personally will be moving away from them and I encoage others to do the same unless they change. ## what should of happened Netbird should of created a new repo and walked with the community in order to develop an app that works for all of us. Such an app wouldn't need to be dependent on google analytics and could be shaped by the needs of the community. ## what netbird can do in response I don't think it would be asking to much to get an apology from netbird and to have them open up all the sources. They should have reproducible builds that are Foss and free of spyware. Please note: I am putting this as a issue as I think it is of great importance. If this issue gets to heated or is polluting the issue tracker then move it to a discussion
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:14 -05:00
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@braginini commented on GitHub (Aug 28, 2023):

hey @Darin755
Thank you for raising your concerns!
Are you in our Slack channel? If not, we'd be happy to see you there :)
https://join.slack.com/t/netbirdio/shared_invite/zt-vrahf41g-ik1v7fV8du6t0RwxSrJ96A

There is nothing to worry about. We have publicly communicated in our Slack channel that we will open-source the Android app. We will do this as soon as we add more tests and clean up the code. Stay tuned!

@braginini commented on GitHub (Aug 28, 2023): hey @Darin755 Thank you for raising your concerns! Are you in our Slack channel? If not, we'd be happy to see you there :) https://join.slack.com/t/netbirdio/shared_invite/zt-vrahf41g-ik1v7fV8du6t0RwxSrJ96A There is nothing to worry about. We have publicly communicated in our Slack channel that we will open-source the Android app. We will do this as soon as we add more tests and clean up the code. Stay tuned!
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:14 -05:00
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@Darin755 commented on GitHub (Aug 28, 2023):

I don't use slack because of its proprietary nature and also due to privacy concerns. (I know I'm a minority)

Thank you for your response though. I do appreciate what you do

@Darin755 commented on GitHub (Aug 28, 2023): I don't use slack because of its proprietary nature and also due to privacy concerns. (I know I'm a minority) Thank you for your response though. I do appreciate what you do
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:14 -05:00
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@mlsmaycon commented on GitHub (Aug 31, 2023):

Hello @Darin755 , we also have a matrix channel, you will find us at https://matrix.to/#/#netbird:matrix.org, it is connected to our Slack general channel, but we can chat there.

@mlsmaycon commented on GitHub (Aug 31, 2023): Hello @Darin755 , we also have a matrix channel, you will find us at https://matrix.to/#/#netbird:matrix.org, it is connected to our Slack general channel, but we can chat there.
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:15 -05:00
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@Ginner commented on GitHub (Sep 11, 2023):

+1 To open sourcing the Android app! I actually choose Netbird over Nebula (after spending considerable time learning about it and setting up lighthouses with Ansible) because of their failure to properly license their Android app (although it is 'source available') and their response to concerns in this regard.

It seems that the will is here and I'm really looking forward to finding the app on f-droid :)

@Ginner commented on GitHub (Sep 11, 2023): +1 To open sourcing the Android app! I actually choose Netbird over Nebula (after spending considerable time learning about it and setting up lighthouses with Ansible) because of their failure to properly license their Android app (although it is 'source available') and their response to concerns in this regard. It seems that the will is here and I'm really looking forward to finding the app on f-droid :)
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:15 -05:00
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@HammyHavoc commented on GitHub (Dec 11, 2023):

How's this going? I'm super curious about NetBird, but admittedly sceptical with how much time has transpired since announcing the intent to publish the source.

@HammyHavoc commented on GitHub (Dec 11, 2023): How's this going? I'm super curious about NetBird, but admittedly sceptical with how much time has transpired since announcing the intent to publish the source.
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:15 -05:00
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@LibreTechnica commented on GitHub (Dec 31, 2023):

Once the Android is open-sourced, would it be available on F-droid without the Google Crashlytics and Google Firebase Analytics trackers?

@LibreTechnica commented on GitHub (Dec 31, 2023): Once the Android is open-sourced, would it be available on F-droid without the Google Crashlytics and Google Firebase Analytics trackers?
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:15 -05:00
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@HammyHavoc commented on GitHub (Dec 31, 2023):

Once the Android is open-sourced, would it be available on F-droid without the Google Crashlytics and Google Firebase Analytics trackers?

That would be excellent. I would be so happy to see this happen.

@HammyHavoc commented on GitHub (Dec 31, 2023): > Once the Android is open-sourced, would it be available on F-droid without the Google Crashlytics and Google Firebase Analytics trackers? That would be excellent. I would be so happy to see this happen.
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:15 -05:00
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@LibreTechnica commented on GitHub (Mar 2, 2024):

What timing! I just checked back and saw the Android app was open-sourced two days ago. I'm a huge step closer to installing it on my phone. Now I wonder if there will be a build for F-droid without the trackers or if I could be steered to how I can compile it myself without those. Android development isn't my bread and butter, but I'm always willing to learn!

@LibreTechnica commented on GitHub (Mar 2, 2024): What timing! I just checked back and saw the Android app was open-sourced two days ago. I'm a huge step closer to installing it on my phone. Now I wonder if there will be a build for F-droid without the trackers or if I could be steered to how I can compile it myself without those. Android development isn't my bread and butter, but I'm always willing to learn!
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:15 -05:00
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@HammyHavoc commented on GitHub (Mar 2, 2024):

What timing! I just checked back and saw the Android app was open-sourced two days ago. I'm a huge step closer to installing it on my phone. Now I wonder if there will be a build for F-droid without the trackers or if I could be steered to how I can compile it myself without those. Android development isn't my bread and butter, but I'm always willing to learn!

Fascinating stuff, thanks for letting us know, this had completely flown under my radar.

Also very interested in a tracker-free version and feel that it's important for it to be taken seriously in terms of trust.

@HammyHavoc commented on GitHub (Mar 2, 2024): > What timing! I just checked back and saw the Android app was open-sourced two days ago. I'm a huge step closer to installing it on my phone. Now I wonder if there will be a build for F-droid without the trackers or if I could be steered to how I can compile it myself without those. Android development isn't my bread and butter, but I'm always willing to learn! Fascinating stuff, thanks for letting us know, this had completely flown under my radar. Also very interested in a tracker-free version and feel that it's important for it to be taken seriously in terms of trust.
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:15 -05:00
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@Darin755 commented on GitHub (Mar 4, 2024):

I just wanted to come back to this issue in order to express my satisfaction with Netbird. I am glad that they are sticking to open values and I look forward to what comes next.

@Darin755 commented on GitHub (Mar 4, 2024): I just wanted to come back to this issue in order to express my satisfaction with Netbird. I am glad that they are sticking to open values and I look forward to what comes next.
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:16 -05:00
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@thunder-007 commented on GitHub (May 2, 2024):

https://github.com/netbirdio/android-client

@thunder-007 commented on GitHub (May 2, 2024): https://github.com/netbirdio/android-client
saavagebueno commented 2025-11-20 05:11:16 -05:00
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@Darin755 commented on GitHub (May 3, 2024):

https://github.com/netbirdio/android-client

I guess I can close this issue now that they released the source code

@Darin755 commented on GitHub (May 3, 2024): > https://github.com/netbirdio/android-client I guess I can close this issue now that they released the source code
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Reference: SVI/netbird#429
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