--- title: "Qwen Code | Ethical Stack" url: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/qwen-code/ catalog_version: f6baff2119d0e9158520da7fbe4232011dac79f25bd08757436d7a1dbd593db2 --- # Qwen Code Open-source terminal coding agent optimized for Qwen models, with API-compatible and OAuth provider options. Canonical profile: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/qwen-code/ Scope: Qwen Code CLI client; prompts go to the selected Qwen OAuth or compatible model/API backend. Published overall: 6; 4/6 dimensions rated. Round the equal-weight mean of available numerical ratings to one decimal; require at least four of six for an overall score. BDS status stays outside the mean; for eligible profiles, a boycott target caps the final score at 2/10 and a pressure target subtracts one point (minimum 1). Not listed and not checked do not adjust the score. ## Energy practices Finding: 3/10 Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/qwen-code/#energy For the Qwen Code CLI; the selected OAuth/API provider determines inference hosting boundary, public documentation establishes the service or route but not its request-level physical footprint. Qwen Code documents model selection, fast-model configuration and output-token generation settings. These give users workload choices; the docs do not measure energy saved. Electricity sourcing is not mapped to this route. Reason: 1 + 1 reporting + 0 electricity + 1 controls = 3/10. This grades documented practices and transparency. Argument: This practices/transparency assessment covers the Qwen Code CLI; the selected OAuth/API provider determines inference hosting boundary. The sources establish how the service or endpoint is exposed and provide the request controls described in the demand component; they do not give a measured per-request energy, emissions or water value. The disclosure point reflects the stated operating boundary, not a product footprint, and company-wide electricity reporting is not attributed to this route. Type: argument; confidence: medium Scope (dimension): Qwen Code CLI client; prompts go to the selected Qwen OAuth or compatible model/API backend. Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: not recorded Unknowns: The reviewed sources do not establish request-level electricity, emissions or water; the actual serving facility and its power mix are also not mapped to Qwen Code CLI; the selected OAuth/API provider determines inference hosting. ```json { "method": "practices-transparency-v1", "scope": "Qwen Code CLI client; prompts go to the selected Qwen OAuth or compatible model/API backend.", "components": { "disclosure": { "score": 1, "reason": "The reviewed documentation defines the Qwen Code CLI; the selected OAuth/API provider determines inference hosting boundary. It gives an operating-scope description, not a dated quantitative energy, carbon or water report for this route.", "sourceUrls": [ "https://qwen.ai/qwencode", "https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code", "https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code/blob/main/docs/users/configuration/settings.md" ] }, "electricity": { "score": 0, "reason": "No reviewed source maps Qwen Code CLI; the selected OAuth/API provider determines inference hosting to a disclosed electricity mix or time-and-location-matched clean-power supply. The route's actual electricity use and emissions therefore remain unestablished.", "sourceUrls": [ "https://qwen.ai/qwencode", "https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code", "https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code/blob/main/docs/users/configuration/settings.md" ] }, "demand": { "score": 1, "reason": "Qwen Code documents model selection, fast-model configuration and output-token generation settings. These give users workload choices; the docs do not measure energy saved.", "sourceUrls": [ "https://qwen.ai/qwencode", "https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code", "https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code/blob/main/docs/users/configuration/settings.md" ] } }, "actualImpactMeasured": false } ``` - [Qwen Code official site](https://qwen.ai/qwencode) (primary; checked not recorded) - [Qwen Code official repository](https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code) (primary; checked not recorded) - [Qwen Code settings: model and generation controls](https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code/blob/main/docs/users/configuration/settings.md) (primary; checked 2026-10-24) ## Training data Finding: Depends on the model Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/qwen-code/#training-rights Qwen Code supports multiple provider protocols, so the model and corpus rights depend on the backend/model release. Reason: Qwen Code supports multiple provider protocols, so the model and corpus rights depend on the backend/model release. Argument: User prompts, model-improvement settings, and the original training corpus are different evidence questions. The reviewed product documentation does not identify a fixed model version and complete corpus-rights record for Qwen Code CLI client; prompts go to the selected Qwen OAuth or compatible model/API backend., so this assessment remains unscored. Type: argument; confidence: medium Scope (profile): Qwen Code CLI client; prompts go to the selected Qwen OAuth or compatible model/API backend. Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: not recorded Unknowns: Exact model selection, release version, source inventory, permissions, post-training data, and creator-remedy scope remain unresolved. ```json { "method": "training-rights-evidence-v1", "scope": "The stated training release or selected model", "components": null, "routeDependency": "Qwen Code supports multiple provider protocols, so the model and corpus rights depend on the backend/model release.", "modelReference": null } ``` - [Qwen Code official repository](https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code) (primary; checked not recorded) - [Qwen Code official site](https://qwen.ai/qwencode) (primary; checked not recorded) ## Your data & privacy Finding: Not enough evidence Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/qwen-code/#privacy Qwen Code runs as a local terminal client, but model inference is routed to the provider selected in its configuration or sign-in flow. Reason: No numerical score assigned because the reviewed evidence does not establish the route-specific controls needed for one. Argument: The official product page describes OAuth and OpenAI/Anthropic/Gemini-compatible APIs. Local installation therefore does not establish local inference or one privacy route. Qwen Studio terms cannot be assumed to govern every third-party-compatible endpoint. Type: argument; confidence: low Scope (profile): Qwen Code CLI client; prompts go to the selected Qwen OAuth or compatible model/API backend. Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: not recorded Unknowns: The actual backend, model, account, prompt retention and training settings depend on the selected OAuth or API route. - [Qwen Code official site](https://qwen.ai/qwencode) (primary; checked not recorded) - [Qwen Code official repository](https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code) (primary; checked not recorded) ## Openness Finding: 8/10 Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/qwen-code/#openness The Qwen Code project publishes an open-source terminal agent and SDK; model and provider licenses are separate. Reason: The score reflects service-level inspectability and control, not usefulness or model quality. Argument: The official repository and product documentation present Qwen Code as open source with terminal, headless, IDE, and SDK workflows. This supports code inspectability, not an assumption that every connected model, host, or account is open. Type: argument; confidence: medium Scope (profile): Qwen Code CLI client; prompts go to the selected Qwen OAuth or compatible model/API backend. Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: not recorded Unknowns: Verify the repository license and selected provider/model license independently. - [Qwen Code official site](https://qwen.ai/qwencode) (primary; checked not recorded) - [Qwen Code official repository](https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code) (primary; checked not recorded) ## Worker protections Finding: 6/10 Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/qwen-code/#labour Alibaba publishes group workforce indicators, an Employee Rights Code, employee reporting channels and compliance processes; these describe Alibaba employees, not the AI data-labeling supply chain. Reason: 1 + 2 pay & conditions + 2 worker voice & remedy + 1 evidence & follow-through = 6/10. This grades documented worker safeguards, not a measured rate of mistreatment. Argument: Alibaba’s ESG employee-development pages report workforce composition and employee participation indicators, while its integrity and governance pages describe code compliance, reporting channels, compliance processes, and board oversight. These are concrete group-level employee systems, but public detail on annotation, evaluation, content moderation, and infrastructure contractor conditions or outcomes remains limited. This entry carries the same developer/operator finding to Qwen Code; it does not establish that this product was deployed under every cited relationship. Type: argument; confidence: medium Scope (dimension): Qwen / Alibaba Cloud: the documented developer/operator record, not proof of deployment of Qwen Code. Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: not recorded Unknowns: The reviewed pages do not establish AI-data subcontractor coverage, worker-level wage/hour outcomes, case counts or remediation outcomes for labor reports, or independent labor-audit results. ```json { "method": "worker-safeguards-evidence-v1", "entity": "alibaba", "company": "Alibaba / Qwen", "scope": "Alibaba / Qwen's workforce and disclosed contractors. Coverage of individual product teams may be incomplete.", "components": { "conditions": { "score": 2, "reason": "Company ESG disclosures report workforce composition and employee participation indicators and describe employee-rights standards; this is concrete employee evidence but does not demonstrate coverage of AI data work or contractors.", "sourceUrls": [ "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-employee-development", "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/integrity-compliance", "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-governance", "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-resource" ] }, "voice": { "score": 2, "reason": "Alibaba describes employee reporting and escalation channels, privacy/non-retaliation protections, and dedicated compliance processes; public labor-specific case outcomes were not located.", "sourceUrls": [ "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-employee-development", "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/integrity-compliance", "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-governance", "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-resource" ] }, "assurance": { "score": 1, "reason": "Governance materials describe compliance training and audit/control processes, but the reviewed public disclosures do not provide independent worker-level labor assurance or remediation results.", "sourceUrls": [ "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-employee-development", "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/integrity-compliance", "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-governance", "https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-resource" ] } }, "disclosureLimited": false, "meaning": "This grades documented worker safeguards, not a measured rate of mistreatment." } ``` - [Alibaba ESG employee development and Employee Rights Code](https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-employee-development) (primary; checked 2026-10-24) - [Alibaba Integrity and Compliance reporting](https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/integrity-compliance) (primary; checked 2026-10-24) - [Alibaba ESG governance](https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-governance) (primary; checked 2026-10-24) - [Alibaba ESG resources and ratings](https://www.alibabagroup.com/en-US/esg-resource) (primary; checked 2026-10-24) ## Military ties Finding: 7/10 Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/qwen-code/#military-contracts Qwen3.8’s released model licenses do not establish a military-use ban. Alibaba publishes stronger rules for its separate QwenWork hosted service; no Qwen3.8 military contract was established. Reason: 7 base + 0 safeguard adjustment = 7/10 (1 of 9 safeguard points; every 3 adds 1). No military relationship was established in the cited sources. This ranks above known defense ties without claiming a verified clean record. Argument: The Qwen3.8-27B release uses Apache 2.0, while the larger Qwen3.8 release has its own license. Neither reviewed release license carries the QwenWork hosted-service military restrictions. QwenWork prohibits specified weapons and military end uses and permits service enforcement, but that separate contract does not establish controls on downloaded Qwen3.8 weights. No Alibaba military contract or Qwen3.8 deployment was established in this bounded source review. This entry carries the same developer/operator finding to Qwen Code; it does not establish that this product was deployed under every cited relationship. Type: argument; confidence: low Scope (dimension): Qwen / Alibaba Cloud: the documented developer/operator record, not proof of deployment of Qwen Code. Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: not recorded Unknowns: The reviewed QwenWork contract does not establish an Alibaba defense relationship or a companywide model restriction. Self-hosted Qwen3.8-27B and Qwen3.8-Max use separate licenses; undisclosed contracts, deployments, and enforcement outcomes remain unknown. ```json { "method": "military-ties-priority-v2", "entity": "alibaba", "company": "Alibaba / Qwen", "scope": "Qwen3.8 released weights and disclosed Alibaba relationships. QwenWork hosted terms are a separate policy and do not score the downloaded models.", "components": { "restrictions": { "score": 0, "reason": "The reviewed Qwen3.8 release licenses do not impose a specific military-purpose ban. Restrictions in the separate QwenWork customer contract are not applied to these weights.", "sourceUrls": [ "https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen3.8-27B/blob/main/LICENSE", "https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen3.8-2.4T-A95B/blob/main/LICENSE" ] }, "oversight": { "score": 0, "reason": "Hosted-service suspension rights do not establish monitoring or enforcement over downloaded Qwen3.8 copies. No release-specific military oversight was established.", "sourceUrls": [ "https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen3.8-27B/blob/main/LICENSE", "https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen3.8-2.4T-A95B/blob/main/LICENSE" ] }, "transparency": { "score": 1, "reason": "Alibaba publishes the release licenses and a separate hosted military-use policy, making the scope distinction inspectable. No military customer or deployment record is established.", "sourceUrls": [ "https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen3.8-27B/blob/main/LICENSE", "https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen3.8-2.4T-A95B/blob/main/LICENSE", "https://terms.alicdn.com/legal-agreement/terms/common_product_agreement/20260805095132623/20260805095132623.html" ] } }, "relationship": "not-established", "relationshipReason": "The QwenWork hosted-service terms include product-specific use safeguards, but no Alibaba defense contract or military deployment was established in reviewed materials. Its Qwen3.8 model repositories have distinct licenses, so the QwenWork safeguards are not attributed to self-hosted weights or treated as evidence of a military relationship.", "score": 7, "baseScore": 7, "safeguardPoints": 1, "safeguardAdjustment": 0, "rawScore": 7, "cap": null, "disclosureLimited": true, "meaning": "Known military relationships take priority over missing safeguards. The rating does not establish the probability of an undisclosed contract." } ``` - [QwenWork Terms of Service](https://terms.alicdn.com/legal-agreement/terms/common_product_agreement/20260805095132623/20260805095132623.html) (primary; checked 2026-10-24) - [Qwen3.8-27B model repository license (Apache-2.0)](https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen3.8-27B/blob/main/LICENSE) (primary; checked 2026-10-24) - [Qwen3.8-Max model repository license](https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen3.8-2.4T-A95B/blob/main/LICENSE) (primary; checked 2026-10-24) - [Alibaba Model Governance and Qwen use guidance](https://home.alibabagroup.com/en-US/ai-governance/governance) (primary; checked 2026-10-24) ## BDS targets Finding: Not listed Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/qwen-code/#israel-palestine We did not find Alibaba Cloud / Qwen team among the named targets in the two official BNC campaign lists checked on 2026-10-23. This is a limited list check, not BDS approval. Reason: BDS campaign status is a factual category, not a 1–10 ethical rating. Argument: Alibaba Cloud / Qwen team is not a named target in the checked lists, but BDS uses selective campaigns, so absence cannot establish a clean record. Running downloaded weights locally is a different decision from paying the developer or a cloud host; check the host as well. This entry carries the same developer/operator finding to Qwen Code; it does not establish that this product was deployed under every cited relationship. Type: evidence; confidence: medium Scope (dimension): Qwen / Alibaba Cloud: the documented developer/operator record, not proof of deployment of Qwen Code. Research reviewed: 2026-10-23; evidence date: not recorded Unknowns: This review covers the named targets in the BNC consumer/pressure guide and No Tech campaign, not every BDS campaign, local group, investment or supplier. Lists and ownership can change. A company’s absence from these lists is not an endorsement or proof that it has no relevant relationships. - [BNC: live guide to consumer boycott and pressure targets](https://bdsmovement.net/Guide-to-BDS-Boycott) (campaign; checked 2026-10-23) - [BNC: No Tech for Oppression, Apartheid or Genocide campaign](https://bdsmovement.net/no-tech-oppression-apartheid-or-genocide) (campaign; checked 2026-10-23) ## Reading the evidence - Assessments are provisional editorial judgments. Cite the profile and the underlying sources, and retain confidence, scope and unknowns. - Unknown, not-applicable and model-dependent are different states. Missing evidence does not establish good or bad conduct. - Company-level evidence does not establish use of a particular product or model. Account plan, model, host and route can change an assessment. - Energy scores describe documented practices and transparency, not measured request emissions. Zero component points can mean an evidence gap. - Published overall scores require at least four of six numerical dimensions. Preserve coverage and BDS adjustments; BDS itself is categorical. - No named BDS target found is limited to the reviewed campaign sources and is not approval. Personalized priorities do not change the published overall score. - Review and source-check dates describe the research, not this deployment. Fetch current primary sources when the decision requires current verification. Methodology: https://ethicalstack.ai/methodology/