# Deprecating OpenCensus compatibility requirements

DevFeed: [Deprecating OpenCensus compatibility requirements](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/deprecating-opencensus-compatibility-requirements-32569.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://opentelemetry.io/blog/2026/deprecating-opencensus-compatibility/>)

Author: OpenTelemetry Authors; Docs CC BY

Published: 2026-06-19T22:53:47Z

Content type: news

Language: en

Sources: [Blog on OpenTelemetry](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/blog-on-opentelemetry.md>)

Topics: [OpenTelemetry](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/opentelemetry.md>), [deprecated](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/deprecated.md>), [migration](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/migration.md>), [SDKs](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/sdks.md>)

Tags: [deprecated](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/deprecated.md>), [java](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/java.md>), [javascript](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/javascript.md>), [migrate](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/migrate.md>), [migration](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/migration.md>), [opentelemetry](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/opentelemetry.md>), [python](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/python.md>), [sdks](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/sdks.md>)

## AI overview

The OpenTelemetry Specification project deprecated OpenCensus compatibility requirements on June 12, 2026. New SDKs and implementations no longer need to add OpenCensus compatibility, while existing shims may continue receiving maintenance during the deprecation period. New work should use native OpenTelemetry APIs, SDKs, and OTLP-based workflows.

## Source excerpt

On June 12, 2026, the OpenTelemetry Specification project merged PR #5138, deprecating OpenCensus compatibility requirements in the specification. This change updates the specification to match where the ecosystem already is: OpenCensus has been archived since July 31, 2023, and the OpenTelemetry shims for OpenCensus have provided a stable migration bridge for more than three years. This is a deprecation of specification requirements, not an immediate removal of compatibility material and not a requirement to remove existing shim artifacts right away.