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DoNotNotify is now Open Source (donotnotify.com)

418 points by awaaz · 163 days ago · 47 comments on HN

Article summary

DoNotNotify, an app that allows users to control and block notifications from other apps, has been open-sourced. The app's source code is now available on GitHub, allowing users to view, study, and contribute to it. This move is seen as a commitment to transparency and privacy, as users can now verify the app's functionality for themselves. The app provides granularity in controlling notifications, allowing users to block specific types of notifications from certain apps.

Main themes

  • Open Source
  • Notification Control
  • Privacy
  • Android Development
  • App Customization

What commenters say

  • Open-sourcing the app is a positive step towards transparency and privacy, allowing users to verify the app's functionality for themselves.
  • The app fills a gap in Android's notification control system, providing more granularity than the built-in features.
  • Some apps intentionally misuse notification categories to prevent users from blocking their marketing notifications, making an app like DoNotNotify necessary.
  • The app's open-sourcing may not be enough to guarantee its long-term viability, as Android's API policies can change and potentially cripple the app's functionality.
  • Users are willing to pay for apps that provide valuable services, even if they are open-sourced, as a way to support the developers and ensure the app's continued development.
  • The app's ability to control notifications is seen as a valuable feature, especially for users with ADHD or those who are easily distracted by notifications.
  • Some commenters question the app's effectiveness in comparison to other solutions, such as Samsung's built-in notification control features, and argue that it may not be necessary for all users.