Technology
Germany's Sovereign Tech Agency invests €500k in Linux packaging system Flatpak
The funding supports a two-year technical roadmap aimed at upgrading Flatpak's sandboxing, security portals, and core infrastructure through 2027.
The short version
- The German Sovereign Tech Agency is investing €508,640 via its Sovereign Tech Fund to enhance Flatpak, an open-source Linux app distribution system.
- The initiative addresses security gaps in Flatpak by developing new portals for network isolation, audio permissions, VPN management, and password auto-fill.
- Modal is co-organizing the two-year project alongside supporting organization Para-Real Ltd., with development work planned through the end of 2027.
Key facts
- The German Sovereign Tech Agency committed €508,640 from its Sovereign Tech Fund to fund development work on Flatpak.[Hacker News]
- The project is a two-year initiative co-organized by Modal, with Para-Real Ltd. acting as the supporting organization.[Hacker News]
- The technical roadmap includes creating new desktop portals for audio access, network isolation, VPN management, spell checking, and password auto-fill.[Hacker News]
- Contractors assigned to technical execution include Philip Withnall, Julian Sparber, Dhanuka Warusadura, Zelda Ahmed, Ignacy Kuchciński, Hari Rana, Eva, and Sam Hewitt.[Hacker News]
- Development efforts are expected to ramp up over the coming months and continue through the end of 2027.[Hacker News]
What remains uncertain
- Project organizers noted that specific design and implementation plans on the roadmap may change as work begins.[Hacker News]