# PrivateBin

> open source online pastebin

**Wikidata**: [Q126923293](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126923293)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PrivateBin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/privatebin

## Summary
PrivateBin is an open-source online pastebin application distributed as free software. It is a web-based tool hosted on GitHub, licensed under multiple open-source frameworks, and designed to be self-hostable. The project is actively maintained, with its latest stable release (version 1.7.5) published in November 2024.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** PrivateBin is an instance of free software and functions as an open-source online pastebin.
- **Licensing:** The source code is distributed under five different licenses simultaneously: zlib/libpng License with Acknowledgement, GNU General Public License version 2.0, 3-clause BSD License, MIT License, and Apache License.
- **Latest Stable Version:** Version 1.7.5 was released on November 16, 2024.
- **Source Code:** The official repository is located at `github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin`.
- **Official Website:** The project's home page is `privatebin.info`.
- **Server Directory:** A list of public instances is available at `privatebin.info/directory/`.
- **Recent Development:** Between July 2023 and November 2024, the project released ten updates, ranging from version 1.5.2 to 1.7.5.

## FAQs
### Q: What specific licenses govern the use of PrivateBin?
A: PrivateBin is unique in that it is multi-licensed. Users can choose to use the software under the zlib/libpng License with Acknowledgement, GPL-2.0, the 3-clause BSD License, the MIT License, or the Apache License.

### Q: Where can the source code for PrivateBin be accessed?
A: The source code is publicly hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin`. The repository tracks all releases and development history.

### Q: Is PrivateBin currently maintained?
A: Yes, the project is active. The most recent stable release is version 1.7.5, which was published on November 16, 2024, addressing strict type-related failures.

### Q: What updates were introduced in the 1.7.x versions?
A: Updates in the 1.7.x branch (released throughout 2024) included asking for confirmation before loading "burn after reading" pastes, fixing zlib references, adding new templates, and preventing the bypass of YOURLS proxy URL filters.

## Why It Matters
PrivateBin serves as a significant tool in the landscape of free software and internet privacy utilities. By defining itself as a "pastebin" that is strictly "free software," it provides a transparent alternative to proprietary text-sharing services. Its multi-licensing strategy (offering GPL-2.0, MIT, Apache, BSD, and zlib/libpng) maximizes compatibility and adoption, allowing the software to be integrated into a wide variety of other projects and distributions without legal friction.

The project demonstrates a high cadence of maintenance, evidenced by frequent version releases throughout 2023 and 2024. These updates address modern technical requirements, such as dropping support for older PHP versions (pre-7.3) and adding support for right-to-left languages like Arabic and Hebrew. This commitment to localization and modern standards solidifies its role as a reliable utility for developers and users seeking self-hosted content-sharing solutions.

## Notable For
- **Multi-Licensing:** Distributed under five distinct open-source licenses (zlib/libpng, GPL-2.0, BSD 3-clause, MIT, Apache) to maximize user freedom.
- **Active Maintenance:** Released five minor versions (1.7.0 through 1.7.5) in the first half of 2024 alone.
- **Internationalization:** Added specific support for right-to-left writing systems (Arabic and Hebrew) in version 1.6.1.
- **Self-Hosting Capability:** Provides an official directory of servers, encouraging decentralized deployment.

## Body
### Software Classification and Licensing
PrivateBin is an open-source online pastebin. It is categorized strictly as free software, meaning users have the legal right to freely run, study, change, and distribute it. The project utilizes a rare multi-licensing model. The code is available under the following five licenses, allowing downstream users to select the license that best fits their needs:
1.  **zlib/libpng License with Acknowledgement**
2.  **GNU General Public License, version 2.0**
3.  **3-clause BSD License**
4.  **MIT License**
5.  **Apache License**

### Version History and Development
Development has been active, with significant releases occurring between 2023 and 2024. The version history highlights specific technical improvements and feature additions:

- **Version 1.5.2 (2023-07-09):** Focused on S3 storage improvements and library updates.
- **Version 1.6.0 (2023-09-11):** Added new translations and formally dropped support for PHP versions older than 7.3.
- **Version 1.6.1 (2023-12-04):** Introduced support for right-to-left writing for Arabic and Hebrew languages.
- **Version 1.7.0 (2024-02-11):** Added a feature to ask for confirmation before loading "burn after reading" pastes.
- **Version 1.7.1 (2024-02-11):** Fixed a reference to the zlib 1.3.1 wasm file.
- **Version 1.7.2 (2024-05-05):** Added new template and configuration options.
- **Version 1.7.3 (2024-05-13):** Fixed expiration selection functionality.
- **Version 1.7.4 (2024-07-09):** Addressed security by preventing the bypass of the YOURLS proxy URL filter.
- **Version 1.7.5 (2024-11-16):** The current stable version, which fixed strict type-related failures.

### Technical Resources
The project maintains a presence across several platforms. Its source code is hosted on GitHub, identified by the repository URL `https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin`. The official website serves as a portal for information and hosts a directory of available public servers at `https://privatebin.info/directory/`. The software is identified by the AlternativeTo software ID `privatebin`.

## References

1. [PrivateBin/PrivateBin. 2024](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin?tab=License-1-ov-file#readme)
2. [Release Release v1.5.2 - S3 storage improvements & library updates · PrivateBin/PrivateBin](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.5.2)
3. [Release Release v1.6.0 - Adding new translations and dropping support for PHP < 7.3 · PrivateBin/PrivateBin](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.6.0)
4. [Release Release v1.6.1 - Adding right-to-left writing support for Arabic & Hebrew · PrivateBin/PrivateBin](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.6.1)
5. [Release Release v1.7.0 - Ask for confirmation, before loading burn after reading pastes · PrivateBin/PrivateBin](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.7.0)
6. [Release Release v1.7.1 - Fixes zlib 1.3.1 wasm file reference · PrivateBin/PrivateBin](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.7.1)
7. [Release Release v1.7.2 - Adding new template and configuration options · PrivateBin/PrivateBin](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.7.2)
8. [Release Release v1.7.3 - Fixing expiration selection · PrivateBin/PrivateBin](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.7.3)
9. [Release Release v1.7.4 - Prevent bypassing YOURLS proxy URL filter · PrivateBin/PrivateBin](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.7.4)
10. [Release Release v1.7.5 - Fixing strict type related failures · PrivateBin/PrivateBin](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.7.5)
11. [Release 0.20. 2016](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/0.20)
12. [Release 0.21. 2016](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/0.21)
13. [Release 0.21.1. 2016](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/0.21.1)
14. [Release 0.22. 2016](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/0.22)
15. [Release 1.0. 2016](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.0)
16. [Release 1.1. 2016](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.1)
17. [Release 1.1.1. 2017](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.1.1)
18. [Release 1.2. 2018](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.2)
19. [Release 1.2.1. 2018](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.2.1)
20. [Release 1.2.2. 2020](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.2.2)
21. [Release 1.2.3. 2020](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.2.3)
22. [Release 1.3.1. 2019](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.3.1)
23. [Release 1.3.2. 2020](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.3.2)
24. [Release 1.3.3. 2020](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.3.3)
25. [Release 1.3.4. 2020](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.3.4)
26. [Release 1.3.5. 2021](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.3.5)
27. [Release 1.5.0. 2022](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.5.0)
28. [Release 1.5.1. 2022](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.5.1)
29. [Release 1.7.6. 2025](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.7.6)
30. [Release 1.7.7. 2025](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.7.7)
31. [Release 1.7.8. 2025](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.7.8)
32. [Release 2.0.0. 2025](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/2.0.0)
33. [Release 2.0.1. 2025](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/2.0.1)
34. [Release 2.0.2. 2025](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/2.0.2)
35. [Release 2.0.3. 2025](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/2.0.3)
36. [Release 1.7.9. 2025](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin/releases/tag/1.7.9)
37. [PrivateBin/PrivateBin. 2024](https://github.com/PrivateBin/PrivateBin)