Open Source

In the next phase of NORA's development, we will make the software open source.

Why Open Source?

Making NORA open source is a strategic decision that will amplify its global impact, accessibility, and innovation in child safety reporting. By opening the platform’s development, NORA can serve as a shared public resource, enabling governments, NGOs, and communities worldwide to improve child protection efforts.

1. Global Accessibility & Adoption

• Open-sourcing NORA ensures that organizations and governments worldwide—especially those in low-resource settings—can implement and adapt the platform without financial or technological barriers.

• Many countries lack digital child protection infrastructure. By making NORA open source, they can leverage a proven system instead of developing their own from scratch.

2. Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Open collaboration allows developers, researchers, and experts worldwide to contribute enhancements, improving the platform’s effectiveness and security.

• Generative AI models evolve rapidly; an open-source approach ensures NORA benefits from global advancements in AI and machine learning to refine reporting accuracy and reduce bias.

• Public transparency helps identify weaknesses and ethical concerns early, fostering stronger safeguards against misuse.

3. Local Adaptation for Diverse Legal Systems

• Child protection laws vary across jurisdictions. By making NORA open source, local agencies can modify reporting structures to align with regional legal frameworks and cultural contexts.

• This flexibility ensures compliance with national privacy laws, reporting requirements, and investigative procedures without needing entirely new software solutions.

4. Strengthening Trust & Transparency

• Open-source projects promote public trust by allowing independent audits and reviews, ensuring that NORA’s algorithms, AI usage, and data handling practices remain ethical and unbiased.

• Transparency in how reports are processed reduces skepticism from professionals and the public, increasing adoption and confidence in the system.

5. Expanding the Global Child Safety Network

• By making NORA open source, a global network of child protection agencies, universities, and advocacy organizations can collaborate and share insights to improve child safety reporting worldwide.

• Shared data models and reporting best practices help standardize and strengthen child abuse prevention efforts across borders.

The Future of Open-Source Child Protection

As NORA evolves, the open-source community will play a crucial role in ensuring the software remains up-to-date, scalable, and adaptable for use in different legal, cultural, and technological environments. This shift from a proprietary system to a collective resource aligns with the mission of creating a safer world for children—everywhere.