# Nitrokey

> hardware authentication token

**Wikidata**: [Q22907321](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22907321)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrokey)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nitrokey

## Summary
Nitrokey is a German hardware authentication token (security token) used for secure access to electronically restricted resources. It is represented online through an official website (nitrokey.com) and multiple social and developer channels (GitHub, Mastodon, Twitter, YouTube, Matrix, Bluesky).

## Key Facts
- Nitrokey is a hardware authentication token; it is classified as an instance of the security token class.
- Country: Germany.
- Official website: https://www.nitrokey.com (available in multiple languages).
- EU VAT number: DE300136599.
- Twitter handle: @nitrokey (account id recorded as 239822603), account start_time 2011-01-18 (point_in_time qualifier 2021-09-14).
- Mastodon address: nitrokey@nitrokey.com; Mastodon presence start_time 2019-07-30; Mastodon instance URL: https://social.nitrokey.com.
- GitHub username: nitrokey.
- YouTube channel ID: UCxB-vpzePM2ENergXMSorGA; channel metadata includes a recorded start_time of 2015-01-05 and a point_in_time qualifier 2021-08-22; YouTube handle: nitrokey (point_in_time 2025-10-21).
- Additional social/contact channels: Facebook (nitrokey), Instagram (nitrokey), LinkedIn (nitrokey), Matrix room #nitrokey:nitro.chat, Bluesky handle nitrokey.bsky.social (start_time 2024-05-05).
- Community and documentation links: ArchWiki article "Nitrokey" (English), SlackBuilds package desktop/nitrokey-app, Wikipedia articles in English, Russian, and Ukrainian (sitelink_count: 3).
- Recorded social media follower snapshots for Mastodon account nitrokey@social.nitrokey.com: 4,045 (2024-02-12), 4,087 (2024-03-16), 4,126 (2024-04-11).
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/11bxjchkbz; Alternativeto software id: nitrokey.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Nitrokey?
A: Nitrokey is a hardware authentication token from Germany, classified as a security token used to gain access to electronically restricted resources. It is available through an official website and multiple online channels.

### Q: Where can I find Nitrokey online?
A: The official website is https://www.nitrokey.com (multiple languages). Nitrokey also maintains accounts on GitHub (nitrokey), Twitter (@nitrokey), Mastodon (nitrokey@nitrokey.com), YouTube (channel ID UCxB-vpzePM2ENergXMSorGA), Matrix (#nitrokey:nitro.chat), and Bluesky (nitrokey.bsky.social).

### Q: Is there a Mastodon instance or community for Nitrokey?
A: Yes. The Mastodon address is nitrokey@nitrokey.com, and the Mastodon instance URL is https://social.nitrokey.com. Historical start_time for the Mastodon presence is 2019-07-30.

### Q: Does Nitrokey have a presence for developers or packages on Linux distributions?
A: Yes. Nitrokey maintains a GitHub username "nitrokey" and is referenced in community packaging such as SlackBuilds (desktop/nitrokey-app) and an ArchWiki article titled "Nitrokey" (English).

### Q: What legal or business identifier does Nitrokey have in the EU?
A: The recorded EU VAT number for Nitrokey is DE300136599.

## Why It Matters
Nitrokey matters because it provides a physical, dedicated device for authentication — a core building block for protecting access to electronic systems and restricted resources. As a hardware authentication token, it helps separate credentials from general-purpose devices, reducing exposure to common attack vectors that target software-only keys. Nitrokey’s multi-channel presence (website, developer repositories, social platforms, and community packaging) supports discoverability, community engagement, and integration with software ecosystems used by security-conscious users and system administrators. The availability of documentation across platforms (ArchWiki, SlackBuilds, Wikipedia entries) and developer assets on GitHub make it easier for organizations and individuals to evaluate and adopt the product. Legal identifiers such as an EU VAT number and dedicated communication channels (Mastodon instance, Matrix room) further support institutional procurement and community support workflows.

## Notable For
- Being explicitly classified and described as a hardware authentication token (security token) originating in Germany.
- Multi-platform public presence: official website, GitHub, Twitter, Mastodon, YouTube, Matrix, Bluesky, and mainstream social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).
- Developer and distribution ecosystem visibility: GitHub username "nitrokey", SlackBuilds package (desktop/nitrokey-app), and an ArchWiki article.
- Transparent identification: recorded EU VAT number DE300136599 and Google Knowledge Graph identifier /g/11bxjchkbz.
- Recorded social follower snapshots and channel metadata with specific start_time and point_in_time qualifiers for historical reference.

## Body

### Overview
- Nitrokey is described as a hardware authentication token.
- It is classified as an instance of the security token class (a peripheral device used to gain access to electronically restricted resources).

### National and legal identity
- Country: Germany.
- EU VAT number: DE300136599.

### Official web presence
- Official website: https://www.nitrokey.com.
- Website qualifiers indicate availability in multiple languages.

### Social and community channels
- Twitter: handle @nitrokey; account id qualifier 239822603; start_time 2011-01-18; point_in_time qualifier 2021-09-14.
- Mastodon: address nitrokey@nitrokey.com; start_time 2019-07-30; Mastodon instance URL https://social.nitrokey.com.
- Bluesky: handle nitrokey.bsky.social with start_time 2024-05-05 and language qualifier English.
- Matrix: room identifier #nitrokey:nitro.chat.
- YouTube: handle "nitrokey" with a recorded point_in_time 2025-10-21; channel ID UCxB-vpzePM2ENergXMSorGA with start_time 2015-01-05 and a point_in_time qualifier 2021-08-22.
- Other social platforms: Facebook (nitrokey), Instagram (nitrokey), LinkedIn (nitrokey).

### Developer and packaging resources
- GitHub username: nitrokey.
- SlackBuilds package: desktop/nitrokey-app.
- ArchWiki article: "Nitrokey" (English), with ArchWiki page id qualifier 34705.

### Documentation and encyclopedia presence
- Wikipedia articles exist in English, Russian, and Ukrainian (sitelink_count: 3).
- Wikidata short description: "hardware authentication token".

### Metrics and identifiers
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/11bxjchkbz.
- Alternativeto software id: nitrokey.
- Social media follower snapshots (Mastodon account nitrokey@social.nitrokey.com): 4,045 (2024-02-12), 4,087 (2024-03-16), 4,126 (2024-04-11).
- YouTube channel and Twitter entries include specific qualifier timestamps for historical tracking (see social/channel qualifiers).

### Contact and community access
- Multiple official channels provide avenues for support, community interaction, and developer collaboration, including GitHub, Matrix, and a Mastodon instance.

## References

1. YouTube API