Alpine Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution built on musl libc and BusyBox, aimed at experienced users who value security, simplicity and resource efficiency. It uses the apk package manager and the OpenRC init system rather than systemd. Its small size makes it widely used as a base for containers, and it also runs on virtual machines and on embedded devices such as routers and NAS systems.
Alpine is open-source software developed by the independent, non-commercial Alpine Linux Development Team. The project does not name a company as its owner. Its infrastructure relies on donations through Open Collective and on in-kind sponsorship, with sponsors' mirror and build servers located in several countries, including Germany. Because you download and run Alpine yourself, data processed on Alpine-based systems stays wherever you deploy them. For European organisations the main points to weigh are the project's volunteer governance and its dependence on sponsored infrastructure.