They Built a Legendary Privacy Tool. Now They’re Sworn Enemies

A profile examines the rise and breakup of Daniel Micay and James Donaldson, the duo behind the hardened Android project CopperheadOS.

Their partnership helped shape a major privacy and security tool, but disagreements over roles, history, and ownership led to a lasting split.

Micay now leads GrapheneOS, while the two remain at odds over CopperheadOS’s legacy and credit for the project’s success.

The dispute highlights how open-source security projects can be shaped not just by code, but by control, reputation, and startup-style conflict.