Session is an open source ecosystem

When the Session Technology Foundation became steward of the Session ecosystem, we accepted responsibility for upholding Session’s core values and mission. A key part of Session’s purpose is to remain open and interoperable—something that is only achievable by remaining open source.

Since its very beginning, Session has been open source. Now, we are publicly and permanently reaffirming our commitment to keep the Session ecosystem open source.

All Session-related programs which are operated or administered by the Session Technology Foundation will remain strictly open source, including our contributions to development of the Session clients, protocol, node software, and core blockchain elements.

Being open source brings many important benefits to Session’s ecosystem: the security assurances of an open code base, openness and transparency in development, and allowing for many contributors to the ecosystem.

Open source for security and integrity

Being open source brings increased trust and verifiability to Session. Anybody can look at Session’s code and audit it for themselves.

Where close source software’s integrity could be threatened by error or by malice (e.g. technical capability notices), open source software has a built-in failsafe—as these issues can be unearthed by a dedicated and vigilant community. In addition to years of real-world use, Session’s open source code provides an assurance to users that Session remains private and secure.

Open source for fairness and openness

Session is an ecosystem by the people, for the people. It cannot be owned or controlled by any one person or company—including the Session Technology Foundation. This ecosystem fosters a fair and open system for any person to participate or contribute. By remaining open source, development should always benefit the underlying technology and the people using it—not an individual or company.

Open source for decentralization and spirit of collaboration

By remaining open source, it allows any would-be contributor to make improvements to core parts of Session, build their own open-source integrations, or otherwise participate in the ecosystem. This way, Session is not only decentralized in terms of its network infrastructure, but also in terms of its contributors. Decentralized collaboration adds resilience that is much-needed given the importance of Session’s mission.

The Session ecosystem belongs to the people. It is yours. This project was started to solve real problems facing our world—the erosion of our right to privacy, the power to choose being taken away, and the ever-present requirement that we trust those who continually betray us. To do better, we must embrace open source technology.

Session will always stand for open source. Session will always be open source. Session is an open source ecosystem.