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I used to think that being open-source was enough to avoid being spied on but it is not. Ubuntu showed this with the Amazon search issue [1] and is apparently c

I used to think that being open-source was enough to avoid being spied on but it is not. Ubuntu showed this with the Amazon search issue [1] and is apparently collecting telemetry with 18.04 LTS [2]. My understanding is that Brew also gatherings telemetry by default. Enabling telemetry collection as the default setting needs to end - even if it is well intentioned. [1] https://www.networkworld.com/article/2226648/opensource-subnet/canonical-flip-flops-on-ubuntu-s-controversial-amazon-feature.html https://www.networkworld.com/article/2226648/opensource-subn... [2] https://www.techradar.com/news/the-controversial-ubuntu-1804-lts-is-now-available-to-download https://www.techradar.com/news/the-controversial-ubuntu-1804...

jammygit 8y ago
Canonical doesn't seem as concerned with privacy as it could be, but at least the collection is opt-in at install time instead of being sneaky (let me know if I'm mistaken). I wish the fsf distros could get more contributors. I understand why corporate contributions aren't aimed in that direction, but I wonder why Trisquel doesn't have more hobbyists pitching in. edited to clear up opening sentence
hsivonen 8y ago
18.04 prompts you very clearly and the first report they let you see looks innocent. Is there something concretely wrong with 18.94 telemetry beyond objecting to even optional telemetry on principle? (I agree that the Amazon search thing was bad.)
- Crontab 8y ago
  I've avoided Ubuntu since the Amazon-search issue, so I haven't tested 18.04 personally, but the second article I linked to says: "This data collection is turned on by default" I took this to mean that telemetry was being collected and, if someone desired, could be turned off after the fact. I have a problem with telemetry being opt-out (it should always be opt-in). If Ubuntu is prompting to allow or disallow the collection of data, then that is good news, as people are being asked for their informed consent.

jammygit 8y ago

Canonical doesn't seem as concerned with privacy as it could be, but at least the collection is opt-in at install time instead of being sneaky (let me know if I'm mistaken). I wish the fsf distros could get more contributors. I understand why corporate contributions aren't aimed in that direction, but I wonder why Trisquel doesn't have more hobbyists pitching in. edited to clear up opening sentence

hsivonen 8y ago

18.04 prompts you very clearly and the first report they let you see looks innocent. Is there something concretely wrong with 18.94 telemetry beyond objecting to even optional telemetry on principle? (I agree that the Amazon search thing was bad.)

Crontab 8y ago
I've avoided Ubuntu since the Amazon-search issue, so I haven't tested 18.04 personally, but the second article I linked to says: "This data collection is turned on by default" I took this to mean that telemetry was being collected and, if someone desired, could be turned off after the fact. I have a problem with telemetry being opt-out (it should always be opt-in). If Ubuntu is prompting to allow or disallow the collection of data, then that is good news, as people are being asked for their informed consent.