Is Deepin OS safe for privacy? Thinking of switching

General Help
1

Hi everyone,
I recently tried Deepin OS and I absolutely loved the interface. It looks amazing!

However, I'm concerned about privacy and security. Since it's based in China, can anyone tell me if it's safe for personal data? Also, how long is the official support for their latest versions?

I am a long-time Zorin user, but I'm tempted by Deepin's beauty. What do you guys think? Is it worth the risk?

1 Like
2

No one will probably be able to give you a definitive answer. If you do some research online, you’ll find that there are many concerns regarding security and privacy with Deepin OS, and one distribution has even withdrawn the Deepin Desktop as a result (opensuse).
Personally, I think Deepin looks great and was really impressed by its appearance when I installed it on Zorin for a test run, but I just didn’t feel comfortable with it because so many people advise against using it.
Ultimately, it has to be the right fit for you. Many other companies are also trying to get their hands on our data.

4 Likes
3

Thanks for the honest answer. If even the experts are not comfortable with it, then I guess it's better to stay safe. I think I will stick with Zorin (or Mint) for now. Beauty is temporary, but data is forever! :joy:"

3 Likes
4

If it is worth the Risk is a subjective Question. So ... I wouldn't take the Risk. But that is only my Standpoint. Also, I don't like the AI Integration. So, alone for that Reason the OS wouldn't be something for me.

5 Likes
5

If you are looking for something similar to Zorin, then I would take a look at Q4OS with its third party 'Look Switcher'. It does use Plasma not Gnome:

Or you could just simply install Plasma 5.27 on Zorin:

1 Like
6

Hi,

there is no operating system in the world where you can honestly say: “100% privacy guaranteed.”

With Linux, privacy is usually more under your own control than with many commercial operating systems, but it still depends on several things:

what distribution you install,
what online accounts you connect,
what browser you use,
what apps you install,
which repositories or third-party sources you trust,
and whether you enable cloud services, sync features, telemetry, or optional user-experience programs.

Deepin has an official privacy policy, and like many modern systems and online services, it describes certain data collection in specific situations. For example, Deepin says it may collect information related to deepin ID login, community interaction, system update information such as OS version/device/CPU information, cookies, and in some cases third-party SDKs. So if privacy is important to you, it is worth reading the policy before deciding.

In general, Linux gives you more choice. You can run a system without a Microsoft account, without Google services, without OneDrive, without forced cloud integration, and without many background services that you may not want.

But the user is still important.

If you install closed-source apps, browser extensions, third-party repositories, unknown scripts, or log into many online accounts, then privacy can be reduced on any operating system.

So my simple advice would be:

If you want the highest privacy, choose a distribution you trust, keep the system simple, use official repositories where possible, avoid unnecessary online accounts, and do not install software from unknown sources.

Deepin may be attractive because it looks polished and user-friendly, but if privacy is your main concern, I would personally compare it carefully with other Linux distributions before switching fully.

Linux can give the computer back to the user, but privacy is not automatic. It is a combination of the operating system, the software you install, and your own choices.

Best regards,
Daniel

3 Likes
7

Hi Daniel, thank you so much for your honest advice! I really appreciate your point that 100% privacy is never guaranteed and depends a lot on user choices. Deepin’s polished look is definitely attractive, but after reading your explanation, I will be more careful and compare its privacy policy before switching fully. Your insights are very helpful!"

1 Like
8

Hi piyush,
thank you very much for your kind reply.
Yes, that is exactly the point I wanted to make: privacy is never only about the operating system itself. It also depends on the browser, online accounts, installed apps, extensions, cloud services, and user habits.
Deepin does look very polished, and I understand why many people are attracted to it. But before switching fully, it is always a good idea to read the privacy policy, test the system carefully, and decide whether it matches your own expectations.
For privacy, the best approach is always: trust, but also verify.

Best regards,
Daniel

2 Likes
9

Hi Daniel,

Thank you for the insightful advice. I completely agree—privacy is indeed a combination of OS, browser, and personal habits. I already use ProtonMail and maintain separate accounts for different services to minimize tracking. I will definitely follow your 'trust, but verify' rule before making any big changes.

Best regards,
Piyush"

1 Like