Sovereign Tech Agency invests €508K in Flatpak security

Germany’s Sovereign Tech Agency is investing €508,640 into Flatpak, a distribution-independent Linux application packaging and delivery system. The funding, provided through the Sovereign Tech Fund, will support a two-year initiative co-organized by Modal Collective and Para-Real Ltd. to enhance the platform’s security and sandboxing capabilities through the end of 2027.

The project aims to close security gaps by implementing more granular permissions. Key developments include improved audio controls that allow applications to access speakers without automatically gaining microphone access, and enhanced network isolation that distinguishes between host, local network, and internet access.

Other planned features include a new VPN portal modeled after Android and iOS APIs to allow third-party VPN apps to manage system-level connections, a spell-checking portal for sandboxed applications, and research into a secure password auto-fill system to replace current insecure methods.