Freedom Projects: Helping us all escape the
clutches of surveillance capitalism, i.e. Silibandia

FUTO Keyboard

FUTO introduces its FUTO Keyboard with the admonition that “Your keyboard shouldn’t connect to the internet,” which begs the question “You mean the keyboard on my phone does connect to the internet??”

Short answer: “Yes; your every keystroke is part of the digital you, available to whoever pays Silibandia to have it.” Perhaps Silibandia would sell you your own keystroke history if you paid them enough.

FUTO introduces its FUTO Keyboard by noting that they are building a modern keyboard for Android and Android-alikes that respects your privacy and security.

GrayJay

Grayjay enables you to create and watch video content in your own terms, fully retaining ownership and having control over what you watch – the “escape DRM” part of escaping Silibandia. It’s a universal video app for following creators, not platforms.

Grayjay offers plugins that can be installed into the Grayjay app that give you access to content on Youtube, Odysee, Rumble, Patreon, Twitch, Kick, Nebula, SoundCloud, PeerTube, and Billbili (some of which are in beta.)

Immich

A High performance self-hosted photo and video management, immich is a personal photo and video management app designed to compete with proprietary apps.

Unlike other apps that focus on the gallery-type model, immich is a simple-to-use backup tool with a native mobile app that can view photos and videos efficiently.

FUTO Voice

A voice input app for Android that respects your privacy, FUTO Voice lets you enhance your Android experience with voice Input, designed to work entirely on-device with no data stored.

Polycentric

A distributed text-based social network centered around communities

In contrast to other social media platforms, both centralized and distributed, identities on Polycentric are sovereign. There is no ability to delete a specific user from the platform as all user information is stored in a wholly distributed manner. A given user can continue to post unhindered as long as there exists at least one node on the platform allowing them to do so. Each user has full control of their own account, their personal metadata, and what they choose to post. There is no centralized control over who can or cannot post on the platform or what posts can be seen. Users of any node in the platform can choose to follow and receive content from any other user on the platform.

Polycentric does not collect personalized data profiles on its users. There currently exists no ability within the software for servers participating in the platform to collect personalized user data. Nor are servers able to perform data mining tasks aside from those which could be achieved by publicly scraping the site. Though some trivial amounts of aggregate data are required to perform basic maintenance tasks, these are periodically deleted.

Harbor

An app for preserving identity on the internet

Harbor allows you to effortlessly link and navigate your online presence across multiple platforms.

Whether you’re a blogger, influencer, entrepreneur, or none of those, Harbor is your one-stop solution for a seamless and organized online experience.

Live Captions

Accessible live captions that are completely private

Live Captions is an application that provides live captioning for the Linux desktop.

FUBS

A frictionless and modifiable software development system

This is from https://gitlab.futo.org/eron/public/-/wikis/FUBS/diff?version_id=e2bea2ece6af4cd0de268435ae0df5649a2e2f8d and needs to be drastically condensed:

FUBS is a software development system that made me like programming again.

Described as “what C++ should have been,” FUBS, still very much in development, is an object oriented imperative language that will provide a unified execution and authoring environment, calling for any program to be accompanied by the tool with which it was created and allow itself to be modified. The goal is to make it as frictionless as possible for a user of a program to understand or modify it, enabling anyone to become a programmer, able to see the results of a program modification instantaneously.

FUBS is designed to enable systems to be self-hosted, using only other programming systems as a bootstrap mechanism. If your system uses nothing written with another system, then you can rest assured that it is complete. Dynamic analysis means that FUBS will be much more effective at catching programmer mistakes than static analysis. Programming tools can make such testing much less cumbersome. FUBS makes it so that current functioanlity is not compromised for backwards compatibility, and allows mistakes to be rectified as soon as they are identified regardless of how the process affects existing dependees, so an antiquated dependee can either keep up or become an artifact.

The programming language will make it easy for the programmer to understand and control what the computer is doing at the lowest level, without level abstractions interfering with understanding of low level processes.

Signal

Already an established leader in a leader in encrypted communication, Signal offers a secure messaging app that prioritizes user privacy and data security. Signal, an independent non-profit, is a sanctuary of features and privacy. Your conversations are kept secure with state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption (powered by the open-source Signal Protocol). But what truly sets Signal apart is the absence of ads, trackers, and affiliate marketers. It’s a relief to be free from these distractions and intrusions, allowing you to focus on sharing the moments with the people who matter to you.

Tor Project

Another well-established product in the FUTO stable, The Tor Project, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that develops the concept of “onion routing” originally conceived in 1995 by David Goldschlag, Mike Reed, and Paul Syverson at the U.S. Naval Research Lab (NRL). The three original developers, later joined by Roger Dingledine, had addressed the problem of finding a way to create internet connections that don’t reveal who is talking to whom, even to someone monitoring the network, and were joined by . Onion routing routes traffic through multiple servers and encrypts it at each step, allowing users to utilize the Internet with maximum privacy.

The Tor Project is deeply committed to transparency and the safety of its users and ensures everyone has private access to an uncensored internet. Tor has emerged as the most potent online privacy and freedom tool worldwide.

Tor’s mission is to promote human rights and freedoms by creating and distributing free and open-source anonymity and privacy technologies, supporting their unrestricted availability and use, and advancing their scientific and popular understanding.

1. Right To Repair is a response to the hardware version of Silibandia’s BS. Right To Repair is apparently the same as Repair Preservation Group:

Repair Preservation Group

The Repair Preservation Group is an advocacy group focused on the right to repair. Our goal is to advocate for legislation against planned obsolescence and promote sustainability. We believe in the importance of extending product lifespans and reducing electronic waste for a more sustainable future.

Our mission is to empower consumers by advocating for the right to repair their own devices, thereby extending the life of products and reducing waste with advocacy for legislation supporting the right to repair and maintenance of devices and maintaining collaborations with lawmakers and environmental organizations.

Ladybird

A new open source browser and web engine, Ladybird is driven by a web standards first approach. Ladybird aims to render the modern web with good performance, stability and security.

From its humble beginnings as an HTML viewer for the SerenityOS hobby operating system project, Ladybird has since grown into a cross-platform browser supporting Linux, macOS, and other Unix-like systems. The first Alpha release of Ladybird is scheduled for early adopters in 2026.

GrapheneOS

GrapheneOS is designed to enhance the privacy and security of the operating system from the ground up. It utilizes advanced technologies to reduce various types of vulnerabilities and make it significantly harder to exploit the most common sources of vulnerabilities.

A security-focused mobile operating system with Android app compatibility, GrapheneOS was developed as a non-profit open-source initiative. It concentrates on researching and developing privacy and security technologies, including significant enhancements to sandboxing, exploit mitigations, and the permission model.

Calyx Institute

CalyxOS is an Android mobile operating system that empowers everyday users with privacy and security. Proactive security recommendations and automatic updates take the guesswork out of keeping personal data private.

CalyxOS is created by an international team of volunteers and staff from the Calyx Institute, a non-profit organization in New York, US, which works on guiding principles, including Privacy that incorporates interests at every step of the design and development process, along with the Security to build technology that is both easy to use and has the highest standards for protecting your data.

We aim to foster a diverse ecosystem of free and open-source software alternatives for mobile computing. CalyxOS is only possible because we draw from and actively contribute to other free software projects designed for the common good.

Freenet Locutus

Freenet is a decentralized substitute for the World Wide Web. Serving as a global, collaborative computing platform, Freenet can be reached via a standard web browser or integrated into software through an API. Freenet facilitates fresh solutions to longstanding issues such as spam, DDoS attacks, safeguarding private data, and more.

Freenet is adaptable enough to construct completely decentralized equivalents to existing centralized services, such as messaging, social media, email, and e-commerce. All elements of every service constructed on Freenet are inherently interoperable, ensuring smooth integration and interaction throughout the platform.

Furthermore, services are inherently scalable and protected through contemporary cryptographic methods, reinstating control in the hands of users instead of technology giants.

MicroG

microG is a project that implements open-source replacements for Google’s proprietary Android user space apps and libraries.

microG aims to enable Android users to regain control over their devices and data by providing open-source alternatives to Google services along with the Key Features that replace Google services with libre software that does not track users, provides core libraries for location and map services without relying on Google, and ensures compatibility with Android apps requiring Google APIs.

Mobility Independence Foundation

At The Mobility Independence Foundation, we aim to promote a society that encourages greater independence, where individuals in need can obtain high-quality mobility technology. By making open-source designs available and offering equipment, we strive to enable people with disabilities to live independent and rewarding lives.

Our mission is to develop accessible, sustainable transportation solutions and mobility technologies. that promote community engagement and support independence.

Knowledge Standards Foundation

Knowledge Standards Foundation works to develop and promote open knowledge exchange and technology standards. We are committed to creating a global framework for knowledge exchange that is open, accessible, and efficient for promoting interoperability among different technology platforms, with engagement with academic and tech communities to foster collaboration.

org foundation

The BeagleBoard.org community works together to create open-source physical computing solutions, which encompass robotics, personal manufacturing tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters, and various industrial and machine controls. It is an organization that advocates for developing open-source, affordable computer development boards.

The primary goal of the BeagleBoard.org Foundation is to promote education and collaboration related to utilizing open-source software and hardware in embedded computing. The foundation allows individuals and groups in open-source software and hardware to share ideas, expertise, and insights.

Conduit

Conduit is a lightweight, open-source server implementation of the Matrix Specification. It is designed for easy setup and low system requirements. It’s a single binary with an embedded database, and it can be much faster than other server implementations in some cases. You can rest assured that Conduit uses RocksDB for the database by default.

Conduit serves as a tool to facilitate efficient data flows and communication, enhancing connectivity and communication efficiency through innovative software solutions.

Hack Club

Hack Club is a global network of programming clubs where young people build amazing things.

We also empower teens by bringing coding clubs to high schools worldwide, providing resources and workshops to teach coding, and supporting a worldwide community of student hackers by Organizing hackathons and coding challenges.

KiCAD

KiCad is an open-source software suite for Electronic Design Automation (EDA) that can be used on Windows, Linux, and macOS. We aim to offer a top-notch electronics design application that works seamlessly across different platforms, catering to the needs of professional electronics designers.

We strive to simplify the advanced design features in KiCad, making them accessible to new and inexperienced users. However, when determining the project’s direction and prioritizing new features, we give precedence to the requirements of professional users.

VLC

VLC is a multimedia player and framework that is open source and free of charge. It is designed to run on various platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Unix.

The software is committed to providing a user-friendly and comprehensive media player that can handle various multimedia files, DVDs, audio CDs, VCDs, and different streaming protocols. VLC prides itself on being free from spyware, ads, and user tracking, emphasizing accessibility for all users.

Syncthing

Syncthing is a real-time file synchronization program that securely synchronizes files between multiple computers, ensuring your data remains private and protected. Your data is stored only on your computers, and no central server could be compromised.

All communication is encrypted using TLS, and every device is identified by a strong cryptographic certificate. Additionally, Syncthing operates using an open protocol, with all source code available on GitHub for transparent development and discussion.

Zulip

Zulip is developed by a vibrant open-source community, and we are fully committed to helping raise the next generation of open-source contributors from a wide range of backgrounds. Zulip revolves around organized and efficient conversations that are categorized by topic. It allows for a clear overview of ongoing conversations and the ability to focus on one conversation at a time.

Zulip provides a user-friendly cloud solution with features to satisfy users and IT teams. It allows you to quickly transfer data and integrations from Slack and similar products.

For complete control and adherence to regulations, you can self-host Zulip’s open-source software, which offers straightforward installation and upgrades.

Organic Maps

Organic Maps is a free offline maps app for Android & iOS for travelers, tourists, hikers, drivers, and cyclists. It is based on OpenStreetMap data created by the community and is a privacy-focused, open-source version of the Maps. My app (previously known as MapsWithMe).

The team that created MapsWithMe in 2011 also maintains Organic Maps. Organic Maps is among the rare applications today that fully support all features without requiring an active Internet connection. Installing Organic Maps, downloading maps, and discarding your SIM card allows you to embark on a weeklong journey on a single battery charge without sending any data to the network.

Darktable

Dark Table is an open-source photography workflow application and raw developer. It is a virtual light table and darkroom for photographers. It manages your digital negatives in a database, lets you view them through a zoomable light table, and enables you to develop and enhance raw images.

We provide a range of editing tools, from basic adjustments to advanced features like simulating night vision. The interface is designed for efficient processing and high-quality output; all editing is non-destructive. It supports various image formats and high-dynamic-range images.

Blender

The Blender Foundation is a standalone nonprofit organization. Its subsidiary, Blender Institute, serves as the foundation’s headquarters. The Blender Institute now operates solely as a working company for the Blender Foundation, and the establishment of the new Blender Studio will support the Blender mission by generating content and testing production processes.

Blender is released under the GNU GPL license and is collectively owned by its contributors, making it always free and open-source software. The goal is to make the world’s top 3D CG technology available to artists as free and open-source software. The vision is to enable everyone to create 3D CG content using free technical and creative tools and free market access.

Ffmpeg

FFmpeg is a top multimedia framework that can handle decoding, encoding, transcoding, multiplexing, demixing, streaming, filtering, and playing virtually any multimedia content created by humans and machines. It supports older, less common formats and the latest cutting-edge ones, regardless of whether standards committees, the community, or corporations created them.

FFmpeg is highly portable and works across various operating systems such as Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, BSDs, Solaris, etc. It is also compatible with multiple build environments, machine architectures, and configurations, successfully compiling, running, and passing testing across these platforms.

We aim to offer the best technically feasible solution for both developers of applications and end users.

Asahi Linux

The Asahi Linux operating system is developed by a thriving community of free and open-source software developers. Asahi Linux is a project and community that will port Linux to Apple Silicon Macs, starting with the 2020 M1 Mac Mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro.

Our goal is not just to make Linux run on these machines but to polish it to the point where it can be used as a daily OS. Doing this requires tremendous work, as Apple Silicon is an entirely undocumented platform.

GIMP

GIMP is a free cross-platform image editor that is available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows, and other operating systems. Whether you are a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, or scientist, GIMP provides sophisticated tools to help you get your work done.

GIMP offers many customization options and 3rd party plugins to enhance your productivity. The acronym “GIMP” stands for “GNU Image Manipulation Program.” It’s a freely distributed program that can be used for tasks such as photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring.

GitLab

GitLab is a comprehensive DevSecOps platf orm that believes in remote work, open source, DevSecOps, and iteration. We start our day by logging in to work with the GitLab community to deliver innovations every month.

We aim to help teams focus on shipping great code faster rather than getting bogged down with their toolchain. GitLab aims to automate software delivery, increase productivity, and secure the entire supply chain.

KeePassXC

KeePass XC is a reliable and modern password manager designed to keep your sensitive information safe. It’s open-source and works smoothly on Windows, macOS, and Linux. KeePassXC is ideal for those who need the highest security for their data. It can securely store various types of information, like usernames, passwords, URLs, attachments, and notes. All your data is saved in an encrypted file that you can keep anywhere, whether it’s on your device or in the cloud.

Managarm

Managarm is a microkernel-based operating system that focuses on efficiency and modern hardware support. Unlike traditional operating systems, it uses a fully asynchronous API for input/output operations. Despite its unique architecture, it maintains compatibility with many Linux APIs, offering a balance between innovation and usability. Managarm is designed to perform well on a variety of hardware while providing a robust and secure environment for users.

OpenHAB

There are plenty of home automation and IoT devices available, each with its setup and usage. However, these systems often limit users to predefined functions set by the manufacturers. OpenHAB solves this by allowing users to integrate and customize their smart home systems across different brands and protocols. Being open-source, it stays current with innovations and doesn’t rely on any single company. It also prioritizes data privacy, giving users control over their information and ensuring secure local operations without needing an internet connection.

PeerTube

PeerTube enables you to create your video platform with full independence. Unlike other platforms, there are no hidden algorithms or unclear moderation rules. Each PeerTube platform is managed and moderated by its owner. These platforms can also connect, forming a network of independent yet interconnected sites. Moreover, PeerTube doesn’t rely on ads and doesn’t track your activity, ensuring a private and ad-free experience.

Valgrind

Valgrind is a tool that helps find issues in your programs, like memory leaks and threading errors. It comes with several tools that can analyze and profile your code in detail. You can even create your tools using Valgrind. It works on many platforms, including Linux, Android, FreeBSD, and macOS. Valgrind is a valuable resource for developers who want to ensure their software runs correctly across different systems.

Flutter-Pi

Flutter-pi is a simple tool that lets you run Flutter apps on a Raspberry Pi without needing a desktop environment. You can run apps directly from the command line, but you may need to manage platform-specific code for plugins on your own. Flutter packages are purely in Dart, while plugins have extra code for different platforms.

Lichess

Lichess is a free, open-source online chess platform created in 2010 by French developer Thibault Duplessis. It offers a simple, ad-free interface where users can play chess against the computer, friends, or other players. You can play anonymously or create an account for ranked games. Lichess is a great place for chess lovers to enjoy the game in a user-friendly environment. It also lets users play free puzzles and the studying resources.

Obtanium

Obtainium is an Android app that simplifies updating and installing apps directly from their source websites. Since most Android apps don’t have a built-in update feature like PC apps, Obtainium fills this gap. It lets you install and update apps from various sources, including GitHub, GitLab, and F-Droid. The app also notifies you when new updates are available. In short, Obtainium makes sure your apps stay up-to-date easily and efficiently by connecting your Android device directly to the latest releases.

Terracotta

Terracotta is a headless UI library crafted for SolidJS, focusing on providing functional components and hooks without dictating any specific markup or styles. This approach gives developers the flexibility to design and customize their user interfaces, ensuring that the visual presentation aligns with their specific needs. Terracotta emphasizes composability and ease of use, offering essential building blocks for creating tailored UI components while leaving the design choices entirely up to the developer.

Gadgetbridge

Gadgetbridge is a simple, open-source app for Android that lets you connect and manage your devices like smartwatches, fitness bands, and headphones without needing the manufacturer’s app. It allows you to control your gadgets directly through Gadgetbridge, giving you more freedom and privacy. Essentially, you can use your devices without relying on the original apps provided by the gadget makers.

Coracle

Coracle Social is a platform that lets people connect and share without relying on traditional social media. Built on the Nostr protocol, it’s decentralized and open-source, putting privacy and user control first. Coracle Social is all about giving everyone a voice in a space that’s transparent and inclusive. It’s a place where you can communicate freely and be part of a community that values your autonomy and security.

FSF

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is a nonprofit organization that promotes the freedom to use, share, and modify software. They work to ensure that technology respects user rights and supports free software development. Since 1985, FSF has been a key player in advocating for digital freedom worldwide.

NeoVim

Neovim is a modern text editor that builds on Vim. It keeps everything good about Vim and adds some new features. Neovim has tools for creating custom plugins with Lua and a new way to highlight and navigate code faster. It still works with Vim’s style and scripts, so if you know Vim, you’ll feel right at home. Whether you’re experienced with Vim or just starting with text editors, Neovim gives you a strong and flexible tool for editing your text.

Oobabooga

Oobabooga is a GitHub project that creates an easy-to-use web interface for running various large language models. It supports models like LLaMA, GPT-J, and Vicuna, making it versatile for generating text. The project is similar to tools like stable-diffusion-webui but focused on text. It’s built to be flexible, allowing users to customize and expand it according to their needs, whether they are developers or researchers.

Hyprland

Hyprland is a tiling window manager designed for Wayland, offering a mix of modern features and smooth performance. It allows users to customize their desktop environment with flexible configurations, animations, and support for plugins. Built with Linux users in mind, Hyprland focuses on providing a visually appealing and efficient workspace that can be personalized to individual needs.

WINE

Wine is a tool that lets you run Windows programs on other systems like Linux and macOS. Instead of acting like an emulator, Wine converts Windows commands into ones your system understands. This way, the programs run smoothly without slowing down your computer, making them fit right into your desktop setup.

ExifTool

Exiftool is a handy tool that lets you read, write, and edit metadata in different types of files like images, audio, and video. It works with many metadata formats, including EXIF, GPS, IPTC, and XMP. You can also use it with maker notes from popular camera brands like Canon, Nikon, and Sony. ExifTool works on Windows, MacOS, and Unix systems, making it a useful tool for managing metadata on various devices and file types.

Garage

Garage is an open-source storage service you can host yourself. It copies your data across several servers to keep it safe. What makes Garage unique is its focus on server locations, placing data copies in different regions to provide extra protection.

So that completes the list (as of August 17, 2024) of projects that FUTO has had the opportunity to vet and include in their list.

That leaves a vast number of projects working to counter the effects of surveillance capitalism that FUTO has not had the chance to review, or for whatever reason do not qualify for inclusion in FUTO’s list.

Apache Software Foundation (ASF) – founded in 1999 with headquarters in Wakefield, MA, USA; manages the development of over 350 Apache software projects, including the

• Eclipse Foundation – founded in 2004 with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium; supports the development of over 350 Eclipse projects, including the Eclipse IDE.
• Free Software Foundation (FSF) – founded in 1985 with headquarters in Boston, MA, USA; supports the free software movement, which promotes the universal freedom to study, distribute, create, and modify computer software
• GNOME Foundation – founded in 2000 with headquarters in Orinda, CA, USA; coordinates the efforts of the GNOME Project, including GNOME
• KDE e.V. – founded in 1997 with headquarters in Berlin, Germany; coordinates the efforts of KDE Projects including KDE
• Linux Foundation (LF) – founded in 2000 with headquarters in San Francisco, CA, USA; supports the development of the Linux kernel, as well as over 60 other projects, only some of which are connected to Linux. Also does advocacy, training and standards.
  • Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) – founded in 2015, to promote containers. It was announced with Kubernetes0, an open source container cluster manager, which was contributed to the foundation by Google as a seed technology.
• OASIS Open – founded in 1993; provides communities with foundation-level support, IP and license management, governance, and outreach with an optional path for work to be recognized by de jure standards organizations and referenced in public procurement.
• OpenInfra Foundation – founded in 2012 with headquarters in Austin, TX; focused on the development and support of open source infrastructure projects, including OpenStack. Previously known as the OpenStack Foundation.
• OW2 – founded in 2007 with headquarters in Paris, France; focused on infrastructure for enterprise middleware
• Open Source Initiative (OSI) – founded in 1998 with headquarters in Palo Alto, CA, USA; steward of the Open Source Definition, the set of rules that define open source software
• Sahana Software Foundation – founded in 2009 with headquarters in Los Angeles, CA, USA; for humanitarian-related software
• Software Freedom Conservancy – founded in 2006 with headquarters in New York, NY, USA; hosts around 40 projects.
• Software in the Public Interest (SPI) – founded in 1997 with headquarters in New York, NY, USA; originally only for the Debian project, it now hosts around 35 projects, some of which are umbrella projects themselves.
• VideoLAN – founded in 2009 with headquarters in Paris, France; multimedia-related projects

The World Stack consists of three of the four “distinct technology layers” of the India Stack, with the Identity Component of the Authenticity Infrastructure replacing the problematic AADHAAR identity infrastructure.

• iSPIRT is focused on combating Silibandia using the India Stack platform;

India Stack describes itself as “a set of open APIs that allows governments, businesses, startups and developers to utilize a unique digital Infrastructure to solve India’s hard problems towards presence-less, paperless, and cashless service delivery.”

India Stack has distinct

Only parts of India Stack

Of the four “distinct technology layers” mentioned, the “Presenceless Layer” is the most controversial as it involves storing biometric data such as fingerprints for every citizen. Since such markers are widely being adopted to enable cashless payment, the issue arises of fraudulent use of biometrics.[2] The other layers are the Paperless Layer, which enables personal records to be associated with one’s online identity; the Cashless Layer, a single interface to all national banks and online wallets; and the Consent Layer, which aims to maintain security and control of personal data.

India Stack is the largest open API in the world. Since its deployment, India has been organizing hackathons to develop applications for the APIs.[3]

India Stack is being implemented in stages, starting with the introduction in 2009 of the Aadhaar “Universal ID” numbers. These are linked to biometrics (fingerprints) and as time goes by, authentication by Aadhaar is required for access to more and more services and subsidies. This raises issues of privacy and surveillance, especially as much of the users’ interface is via their mobile phones. [4][5]

The next stages were the introduction of eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer), which enables paperless and rapid verification of address, identity etc., followed by eSign, whereby users attach a legally valid electronic signature to a document, and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) enabling cashless payments, and most recently, DigiLocker, a platform for issuance and verification of documents and certificates.

What raised the profile of Aadhaar and India Stack worldwide was the 2016 Indian banknote demonetisation whereby ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes were phased out, officially to eliminate forgeries and money-laundering, but with the secondary objective of hastening the transition to a cashless economy.

Observers have argued that India Stack could fast-track the move to digital payment systems across the developed world and mark the end of cash.[6] However, various challenges related to user rights have been mounted: in August 2017, the Supreme Court of India unanimously ruled in favour of a petition applying for privacy to be declared a fundamental right[7] and other court matters followed. [8]

Reputed consultancy firm Ernst & Young has said that India Stack has become the global benchmark for most countries.[9]

First pilot of India Stack

To test all 4 layers- Presenceless, paperless, cashless and consent- of India stack, the India Stack team partnered with the largest FinTech alternative credit company in India, Capital Float (now axio) in 2016.[10] The objective of the pilot was to provide loans to customers in a few minutes and in the comfort of their own house. Additionally, the target customer was someone with no collateral and limited data trail. When a user opened the application, he/she had to give consent for Capital Float to access his/her data through the digital platform (Consent). Once the consent was given Capital Float used the Aadhaar infrastructure to authenticate the users (presenceless). The Aadhaar also helped with e-KYC, a mandatory requirement for all loan activities in India. Once the authentication was complete, Capital Float pinged the Aadhaar database to check for banking activity, and also used a mobile scraping technique to gather data from the customer’s phone. These two steps helped Capital Float estimate the credit-worthiness of the customer. Once this was determined, the customer of the application saw loan offers on the screen. The customer could then select the offer and do an e-signature within the comforts of their home (paperless). This whole process could be completed in 45 seconds. Once the loan was approved it could directly be disbursed into the bank account of the customer (Cashless). The pull function of the UPI platform could also be utilized by Capital Float to get back the loan payments.

After the Pilot, the India Stack team has approached other alternate lenders to utilize the platform to give loans to under-served populations. Capital Float is already in the process of expanding the pilot in to a full-fledged service offering. This pilot proved a clear value proposition of the India Stack platform for the fintech industry.

India Stack Developer Conference

First conference was held on 25 January 2023. NASSCOM president Debjani Ghosh highlighted that India Stack has enabled India to achieve financial inclusion for 80% of population in 6 years as compared to projected figure of 46 years.[11] Indian Minister said that the platform will be offered to other countries and private entrepreneurs free of cost.[12] Earlier India Stack Knowledge Exchange 2022 had taken place in July 2022, where Indiastack.global was launched by Indian PM Narendra Modi as a single repository of all major projects on India Stack.[13]

Components under IndiaStack

• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
• Bharat Bill Payment System
• BharatQR
• DigiLocker
• DigiYatra
• eSign
• Government e Marketplace(GeM)
• Unified Payments Interface(UPI)
• UMANG
• Open Credit Enablement Network (OCEN)
• Open Network for Digital Commerce
• FASTag
• Aadhaar Enabled Payment System(AePS)
• Aadhar Pay
• eKYC

Endorsement by IMF

• International Monetary Fund endorsed this initiative by noting that: “Other emerging market and developing economies could learn from the experience.” [14] In a paper titled India’s Approach to Open Banking: Some Implications for Financial Inclusion, authors Yan Carriere-Swallow, V. Haksar and Manasa Patnam observed that the digital infrastructures of India Stack has enabled rapid increase in digital payments.[15]

Global Collaboration

• Sri Lanka, Morocco, the Philippines, Guinea, Ethiopia, and the Togolese Republic have already started using technologies of India Stack and Tunisia, Samoa, Uganda, and Nigeria have shown their willingness. [16] [17]

India’s Description of the India Stack

India Stack highlights India’s leadership in digital technologies, driven by large-scale digital transformation projects under the guidance of the Prime Minister. Initiatives such as Aadhaar, UPI, Digilocker, and others are featured, aiming to serve both India and the global community as models for digital public goods.

Key Projects

• Aadhaar: A comprehensive national identification system that enables seamless verification of individuals’ identities for various public and private services, promoting financial inclusion and access to government benefits.
• Unified Payment Interface (UPI): A real-time payment system that facilitates instant money transfers between bank accounts, enabling digital payments across merchants, services, and peer-to-peer transactions with ease, even in remote areas.
• Digilocker: A government-backed platform offering secure cloud-based storage for essential documents, allowing users to access and share digital copies of certificates, licenses, and records.
• CoWin Vaccination Platform: A robust digital tool for managing and tracking COVID-19 vaccinations, ensuring efficient scheduling, registration, and verification of individuals receiving vaccines across India.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission: An initiative to create a digital ecosystem for healthcare, digitizing patient health records to facilitate easier access to medical services and improved health outcomes through technology.

GitLab Explore Projects

GitLab is a comprehensive DevSecOps platform that believes in remote work, open source, DevSecOps, and iteration. We start our day by logging in to work with the GitLab community to deliver innovations every month.

We aim to help teams focus on shipping great code faster rather than getting bogged down with their toolchain. GitLab aims to automate software delivery, increase productivity, and secure the entire supply chain.

Key Projects

• CI/CD Pipelines: GitLab’s Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) automates the process of integrating and deploying code, ensuring faster, reliable, and consistent software delivery. It allows developers to continuously test and deploy applications with minimal manual intervention, optimizing efficiency and reducing errors.
• Security and Compliance: GitLab includes security features directly within the development pipeline, providing tools to detect vulnerabilities, manage compliance, and perform threat analysis. This proactive approach ensures that security is integrated early and continuously throughout the development lifecycle.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): GitLab’s IaC capabilities allow developers to define and manage their infrastructure using code, automating provisioning, configuration, and scaling. This streamlines infrastructure management, reduces manual effort, and ensures consistency across environments, supporting modern DevOps practices.

License:

GitLab operates under the MIT open-source license, offering both free and enterprise tiers.

Electronic Frontier Foundation

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending civil liberties in the digital world. It focuses on issues such as privacy, free speech, and digital rights, advocating for individuals and consumers against government surveillance and corporate abuse. The EFF engages in legal cases, promotes public policy, and provides educational resources on digital privacy and security.

Key Projects

• Privacy & Surveillance: The EFF leads initiatives to safeguard individuals’ privacy by challenging government mass surveillance programs and advocating for stronger privacy protections. They work to raise awareness about data collection practices and push for policies that guarantee people can maintain control over their personal information online.
• Free Speech: The EFF actively supports freedom of expression by defending individuals’ rights to speak freely on the internet. They engage in legal cases and policy advocacy to prevent censorship, making sure that digital platforms remain spaces for open and diverse conversations.
• Digital Security Tools: The EFF develops user-friendly tools like HTTPS Everywhere and Privacy Badger, which help enhance online privacy and security. These tools are designed to protect users from tracking, unauthorized surveillance, and insecure internet connections, making it easier for individuals to browse the web safely.

License:

Many of EFF’s resources and tools are open source, licensed under permissive licenses like the GNU General Public License (GPL).

GitHub Explore Projects

GitHub is a platform for developers to host, manage, and collaborate on code projects using Git version control. It allows teams to work together on software development, track changes, and review code, fostering open-source collaboration and private project management. GitHub supports millions of projects globally, providing tools to streamline development workflows.

NOTE that GitHub was purchased by Microsoft on Oct. 26, 2018 for $7.5 billion – and that Microsoft’s obligation to its shareholders is to use GitHub to generate a return on that substantial investment.

Key Projects

• Python Mini Projects: A collection of simple Python projects designed to improve your coding skills through hands-on practice. These projects cover a range of tasks, from beginner-level to more advanced, helping you gain practical experience in solving problems with Python.
• Invoice Ninja: An open-source application for invoicing, quotes, project management, and time tracking. It provides tools for freelancers and businesses to handle financial operations efficiently, allowing for seamless invoice creation and tracking client payments.
• Text to Handwriting: A useful tool that converts digital text into handwritten form, ideal for creating neat handwritten notes or assignments. This tool helps students and professionals alike in presenting their work in a more personalized, handwritten style.
• Leantime: A project management system specifically designed for those without a background in project management. Its user-friendly interface and features make it easy to plan, track, and manage projects, even for beginners, focusing on accessibility for all users.
• Serial Studio: A multi-purpose tool for visualizing and processing serial data from various devices and sensors. It is ideal for developers and engineers working on embedded systems or hardware projects, providing real-time data insights and analysis.

License:

GitHub supports various licenses, including open-source licenses like MIT, GNU, and Apache.

The “Awesome Lists” topic on GitHub is a collection of curated lists that cover a wide range of programming languages, tools, frameworks, and technologies. These lists are created by developers to share useful resources, libraries, tutorials, and guides for learning and improving in various technical domains. The platform encourages collaboration and contributions from the open-source community.

Key projects

1. Awesome: A great list of resources on many topics, from coding to fantasy books, packed with useful and interesting information.
2. Build Your Own X: Guides on how to create your own versions of popular tech, like operating systems and databases, for hands-on learning.
3. Awesome Self-Hosted: A list of free software and web apps that you can run on your own servers for more privacy and control.
4. OSSU Computer Science: A complete self-study guide for learning Computer Science, with a full set of topics to cover.
5. The Book of Secret Knowledge: A collection of inspiring lists, guides, and tips across various subjects, designed to educate and inspire.
6. Awesome Go: A list of top Go programming tools and libraries, showcasing the best resources for Go developers.
7. 30 Seconds of Code: Quick and handy code snippets for various programming tasks, providing fast solutions and coding tips.
8. Awesome Mac: A list of the best apps and tools for macOS, making your Mac experience better with top software and enhancements.

License:

Most Awesome Lists are covered under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0-1.0) license, allowing for open use and contributions.

Hackers On Planet Earth (HOPE) Projects

Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering positive social change through innovative solutions and collaborative efforts. Their mission focuses on addressing pressing global issues by supporting sustainable development, education, and health initiatives. The website offers detailed information about their programs, partnerships, and the impact they aim to achieve in various communities.

Key Projects

• EFF Involvement: The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) often joins HOPE to present their work on digital rights and privacy, and to raise funds for their initiatives.
• Workshops and Talks: HOPE features workshops and talks on topics like cybersecurity, privacy, and hacking, with past speakers including Edward Snowden and Steve Wozniak.

Wikipedia-Listed Projects

Key Projects

Wikipedia itself is the primary product, but it is part of a larger ecosystem of projects supported by the Wikimedia Foundation, including:

• Wikimedia Commons: A repository of free-use images, sounds, and other media.
• Wikidata: A free and open knowledge base.
• Wiktionary: A collaborative dictionary.
• Wikibooks: A collection of free textbooks and manuals.
• Wikisource: A library of free content text

License:

Wikipedia’s content is primarily licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA) and the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL).

SourceForge Projects

SourceForge, an online platform with a strong reputation, is a central hub for managing and hosting open-source software projects. Founded in 1999, it was one of the first to provide free hosting for open-source projects.

SourceForge provides developers with various tools, including hosting for source code repositories, bug tracking, project wikis, and user-support forums. Owned by Slashdot Media, SourceForge is dedicated to inclusivity and supports various open-source licenses, such as the MIT License, GNU General Public License (GPL), and Apache License. SourceForge is home to many popular projects, including GIMP, FileZilla, VLC Media Player, and 7-Zip.

Key Projects

SourceForge hosts a wide range of open-source projects. Some notable examples include:

• GIMP: An open-source image editor.
• FileZilla: An open-source FTP solution.
• VLC Media Player: A free and open-source multimedia player.
• 7-Zip: An open-source file archiver

License:

SourceForge hosts projects that use a variety of open-source licenses, MIT GNU, Apache, BSD License.

Cluetrain And Derivatives

Open Source Initiative Projects

Open source is like a recipe book for computer programs anyone can look at, change, and share. This way, everyone works together and shares, so developers can improve each other’s work.

Key Projects

• Linux Operating System
• Apache HTTP Server
• Mozilla Firefox
• LibreOffice
• GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

License:

Opensource lists are covered under the GNU General Public License (GPL), Lesser General Public License (LGPL), MIT License, BSD License and Apache License 2.0.

Crowd Supply Products

Crowd Supply is a crowdfunding platform dedicated to hardware projects, supporting creators by helping them design, fund, and distribute their products. The platform focuses on innovative and open-source designs, particularly in areas like DIY electronics, security, and connectivity.

Key Projects

• Tangara: A music player inspired by the early 2000s aesthetic. It features simple, retro controls and is fully funded, now available for pre-order. It offers a nostalgic experience for users who miss the look and feel of classic MP3 players.
• MNT Pocket Reform: A compact and lightweight version of the open-source mini Reform laptop. It’s designed for portability while retaining the power and modularity of its predecessor, making it more affordable and easy to customize for tech enthusiasts.
• SlimeVR Full-Body Tracker: A cost-effective, wireless solution for tracking full-body movement in virtual reality. It enhances the VR experience by providing accurate and real-time body tracking without the need for expensive external sensors or cameras.
• KrakenSDR: A software-defined radio that operates with five phase-coherent RTL-SDRs, allowing users to conduct advanced signal processing tasks. It’s highly suitable for applications in radio direction finding and beamforming, making it a powerful tool for hobbyists and professionals alike.
• Watchy: A customizable, open-source E-Ink smartwatch that lets users personalize the design and functionality. With its sleek, minimalistic interface and long battery life, it’s perfect for anyone who enjoys DIY projects and open-source technology.

License:

Crowd Supply projects are typically licensed under open hardware and API licensing.

Open Source Ecology

Open Source Ecology is Network of Farmers, Engineers, and Supporters Building the Global Village Construction Set. The Global Village Construction Set (GVCS) is a modular, DIY, low-cost, high-performance platform that allows for the easy fabrication of the 50 different Industrial Machines that it takes to build a small, sustainable civilization with modern comforts.

RISC-V Foundation Products

RISC-V is an open-standard instruction set architecture (ISA) designed to support open-source hardware development. It allows developers to build and innovate without the constraints of proprietary ISAs. The platform encourages collaboration across industries, fostering advancements in computing technology.

Key Projects

• OpenXiangShan: A high-performance, open-source RISC-V processor developed by the XiangShan team, designed for flexibility and scalability in computing systems.
• RT-Thread: An open-source real-time operating system (RTOS) designed for IoT applications, providing full support for RISC-V architecture.
• Spike: A simulator for RISC-V, used for architectural exploration and software development, helping developers test and refine their projects.
• OpenSBI: The reference implementation of the RISC-V Supervisor Binary Interface, crucial for bootstrapping operating systems on RISC-V hardware.
• Tock: A secure, embedded operating system for microcontrollers, written in Rust, supporting RISC-V and aimed at ensuring safety and reliability in low-power devices.

License:

RISC-V projects are typically licensed under permissive open-source licenses.

Coreboot

Coreboot is an extended firmware platform that delivers a lightning fast and secure boot experience on modern computers and embedded systems. As an Open Source project it provides auditability and maximum control over technology.

coreboot is a member of the Software Freedom Conservancy
Donations accepted through paypal, by check, or by wire transfer.

Open Source Software Directory Projects

The Open Source Software Directory is a platform that offers a wide range of free and open-source software for personal and business use. It highlights the benefits of open-source, such as no licensing costs, no trial periods, and the freedom to customize. Users can explore software across various categories like file management, education, and multimedia.

Key Projects

• Freeter: Freeter is a free, open-source organizer that helps users keep all their project resources in one place. It’s designed for quick switching between workflows, helping users stay focused and organized.
• Xecrets File Command Line: It is a powerful cryptographic toolbox, similar to AxCrypt but in a command-line format. It’s perfect for encrypting files without a graphical interface.
• Gammath SPOT: It offers stock market analysis tools, allowing users to compute price projections, track historical data, and backtest strategies. Ideal for traders seeking open-source technical analysis software.
• EFCK: EFCK is a cross-platform emoji keyboard with built-in text filtering, GIF search, and Unicode conversion features, all in a customizable format.
• Abc-Map: It enables users to create, edit, and share geospatial information, with map export options available in PDF or embeddable formats for websites.
• Reactive Resume: Reactive Resume is a simple, user-friendly tool for creating and sharing resumes. It ensures privacy and allows exporting to PDF with no ads or data compromise.
• Syncthing: It is a continuous file synchronization tool, allowing real-time file sync between computers with complete control over data sharing and storage.
• Subtitld: A versatile subtitle editor supporting multiple formats, designed for creating and editing subtitles efficiently for videos.
• VPaint: It is an experimental vector graphics editor designed for creating animations using advanced research-based technology.
• Dotgrid: Dotgrid is a vector drawing software that excels in creating logos and icons, offering support for PNG and SVG export, layers, and mirror effects.

License:

It works under the licenses of GPL, AGPL, MIT, and MPL

Project Liberty

Project Liberty is dedicated to creating a decentralized, open-source ecosystem for digital identity management. The initiative aims to authorize users by giving them control over their personal data and privacy. The platform focuses on developing tools and protocols to support secure, transparent, and user-centric digital interactions.

Key Projects

• Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP): DSNP is an open-source protocol designed to decentralize social networks, putting users in charge of their data and privacy. It aims to create a more transparent and user-controlled social media experience.
• Project Liberty Institute: The Project Liberty Institute works with top universities like Georgetown and Stanford to create ethical guidelines for digital technology. Its goal is to develop governance frameworks that ensure responsible use of tech.
• People’s Bid for TikTok: Project Liberty is forming a group to buy TikTok and redesign it with a focus on user control over digital identities and data. This initiative aims to enhance privacy and user empowerment on the platform.
• MeWe Integration: Project Liberty is teaming up with MeWe to integrate DSNP, making it the largest decentralized social media platform. This partnership aims to expand user control and transparency on social networks.

Open Hub

Open Hub is a web service and community that provides metrics, analytics, and insights to open-source projects. It also helps organizations and developers understand their accountability and activity.

Key Projects

• Detailed project pages: OpenHub provides multiple projects with information about their purpose, development status, and key contributors, which helps users understand the project’s scope and current state.
• Contributor statistics: The open hub typically offers elaborate statistics related to the project contributors, including information such as commits, codes, and the specific areas of the project they’ve been working on.
• Code analysis tools: It also provides tools to analyze the codebase of open-source projects. These tools can easily identify issues, such as bugs, security, and code smells, that help developers improve their code quality and maintain high standards.

License:

• MIT License
• Apache License 2.0,
• copyleft licenses like GPL.

Fediverse Platforms

JoinFediverse is a guide that decentralized the social network known as diverse. It allows users to join and understand multiple federated social media platforms.

Specific Products:

• Mastodon (Social Networking): Mastodon is a decentralized social network that works similar to Twitter (X) and allows users to post messages, follow each other, and interact with the public. Like other social networks, Mastodon is made up of various independent servers that can easily communicate with each other.
• Peertube: PeerTube (Video Sharing) is a decentralized, open-source, ad-free video hosting platform that allows users to balance their content and privacy. It aims to replace YouTube and uses person-to-person technology to spread video content and reduce the load on individual servers.
• Pleroma (Microblogging): It is a lightweight, open-source platform for microblogging that offers various frontend suits for different user preferences. It is famous for its flexibility and low resource consumption.

License:

The platforms within the Fediverse use a variety of open-source licenses, including

• AGPL
• GPL
• MIT

Open Source Collective

Opencollective is an open-source platform that allows groups to manage and collect funds transparently. It is widely used by open-source projects that can help them manage their finances.

Specific products associated with the open collective:

• Transparent Budgeting: Transparent Budgeting lets groups and projects handle their money clearly. All financial information, like how much you earn and spend, is out in the open for everyone to see. This transparency helps build trust among supporters and ensures accountability. People can clearly see where their money’s going, which might make them want to contribute more and get more involved.
• Fiscal Hosting: Fiscal Hosting gives projects the money and legal stuff they need to run. Fiscal hosts are like a big umbrella, ensuring projects can do their main stuff without getting tangled up in money and law.
• Crowdfunding: It’s a way for folks to back up their favorite ideas and help them get off the ground. Projects can make appeals to get money from people and groups. This platform supports recurring contributions, one-time donations, and even sponsorships. It’s all about getting people to come in and support the project, which also makes them feel like they’re part of the
• Finance Management: Finance Management simplifies the process of approving and submitting expenses. It helps you keep tabs on your spending, ask for your money back when needed, and keep your school’s money in check. This makes handling money quick and clear, so project bosses don’t have to deal with too much paperwork.

License:

Open collective works under an open-source model; its code is available on GitHub under the MIT license.

• Your Project Here! Check these out to see whether they fit:
  • https://odysee.com/
  • https://ngrok.io
  • https://mulearn.org/
  • https://www.nitrokey.com/