OpenClaw

What it does

OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent that you run on your own computer or server. You message it through chat apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Signal or Microsoft Teams, and it carries out tasks: sorting and sending emails, managing your calendar, researching on the web, editing files. It remembers context across conversations and can be extended with skills and plugins, for example for Gmail, GitHub or Obsidian. You pick the language model yourself, such as Claude, GPT or a local model.

Who it suits

Technically skilled teams who want an assistant with access to their own systems and are prepared to handle setup and maintenance (Node.js, configuration files, permissions) themselves.

Data protection for businesses

The software and your data stay on your hardware, so you decide where it is hosted. There is no hosted service and therefore no data processing agreement from the foundation; if needed, you sign one with your model provider. Whether inputs are used for training depends on that provider’s terms – with a local model, data never leaves your network. According to the vendor, telemetry is limited to a version check that can be switched off. There are no business plans.

Limits

The agent can operate with far-reaching system permissions, and prompt injection via external content is a real risk. Restrict its rights with access profiles and the sandbox. There is no official support with contractual commitments.