Hey! I just wanted to start with just a note to say I'm not trying to attack or call anyone out here - I know OSS development is often very thankless and I very much am aware you need to keep the lights on and have no problem with you monetising your project in such a way, but I noticed in the README there's a line that reads
Many of our users have had a great experience with [RackNerd](https://my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=13788). Depending on promotions, you can get a [VPS with 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, and ~20GB SSD for just around $12/year](https://my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=13788&pid=912). That's a great deal!
Now, I've never used RackNerd so I have no reference for how good or bad their service is (see #801 ), but I'm concerned that this doesn't properly disclose the affiliate relationship between RackNerd and this project and that it's likely that you're recommending RackNerd, at least in part, because they are offering you a kickback based on who is signing up with your affiliate link, rather than any unbiased merit.
Providing disclosure when you're promoting something based on a commercial relationship isn't just something should be required on a moral level - it's actually legally required in the US where I believe this project is based.
Originally created by @foxt on GitHub (Sep 27, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/fosrl/pangolin/issues/1551
Hey! I just wanted to start with just a note to say I'm not trying to attack or call anyone out here - I know OSS development is often very thankless and I very much am aware you need to keep the lights on and have no problem with you monetising your project in such a way, but I noticed in the README there's a line that reads
> `Many of our users have had a great experience with [RackNerd](https://my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=13788). Depending on promotions, you can get a [VPS with 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, and ~20GB SSD for just around $12/year](https://my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=13788&pid=912). That's a great deal!`
Now, I've never used RackNerd so I have no reference for how good or bad their service is (see #801 ), but I'm concerned that this doesn't properly disclose the affiliate relationship between RackNerd and this project and that it's likely that you're recommending RackNerd, at least in part, because they are offering you a kickback based on who is signing up with your affiliate link, rather than any unbiased merit.
Providing disclosure when you're promoting something based on a commercial relationship isn't just something should be required on a moral level - it's actually [legally required in the US](https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/plain-language/1001a-influencer-guide-508_1.pdf) where I believe this project is based.
@oschwartz10612 commented on GitHub (Sep 27, 2025):
^^ thanks @hhftechnology. Yes we disclose but if this is not enough legally we can adjust.
Thanks for the concern! :}
<!-- gh-comment-id:3341915824 -->
@oschwartz10612 commented on GitHub (Sep 27, 2025):
^^ thanks @hhftechnology. Yes we disclose but if this is not enough legally we can adjust.
Thanks for the concern! :}
<!-- gh-comment-id:3342034639 -->
@foxt commented on GitHub (Sep 27, 2025):
ah, i see it's noted in the docs but my concern was the readme!
https://github.com/fosrl/pangolin#fully-self-hosted
On Sat, 27 Sep 2025 at 5:53 pm, Owen Schwartz ***@***.***>
wrote:
> *oschwartz10612* left a comment (fosrl/pangolin#1551)
> <https://github.com/fosrl/pangolin/issues/1551#issuecomment-3341915824>
>
> ^^ thanks @hhftechnology <https://github.com/hhftechnology>. Yes we
> disclose but if this is not enough legally we can adjust.
>
> Thanks for the concern! :}
>
> —
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Originally created by @foxt on GitHub (Sep 27, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/fosrl/pangolin/issues/1551
Hey! I just wanted to start with just a note to say I'm not trying to attack or call anyone out here - I know OSS development is often very thankless and I very much am aware you need to keep the lights on and have no problem with you monetising your project in such a way, but I noticed in the README there's a line that reads
Now, I've never used RackNerd so I have no reference for how good or bad their service is (see #801 ), but I'm concerned that this doesn't properly disclose the affiliate relationship between RackNerd and this project and that it's likely that you're recommending RackNerd, at least in part, because they are offering you a kickback based on who is signing up with your affiliate link, rather than any unbiased merit.
Providing disclosure when you're promoting something based on a commercial relationship isn't just something should be required on a moral level - it's actually legally required in the US where I believe this project is based.
@hhftechnology commented on GitHub (Sep 27, 2025):
https://docs.digpangolin.com/self-host/choosing-a-vps#support-and-reliability
@oschwartz10612 commented on GitHub (Sep 27, 2025):
^^ thanks @hhftechnology. Yes we disclose but if this is not enough legally we can adjust.
Thanks for the concern! :}
@foxt commented on GitHub (Sep 27, 2025):
ah, i see it's noted in the docs but my concern was the readme!
https://github.com/fosrl/pangolin#fully-self-hosted
On Sat, 27 Sep 2025 at 5:53 pm, Owen Schwartz @.***>
wrote: