I abandoned Ubuntu a long time when I realized Ubuntu was the Windows of Linux. That is a joke, but this doesn't surprise me at all. It isn't the first time they tried something like this either. I wouldn't have a problem if it was made completely clear and the option to not participate was easy and apparent and the default was not to participate. That is almost never the case with these things though.

OMG Ubuntu already [reported](http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2018/02/ubuntu-data-collection-opt-out) this few days ago. For summary, it's like Steam Survey thing.
The problem is it is opt-out not opt-in. Not big fan of that.

List what they will collect(ed):
* Ubuntu Flavour
* Ubuntu Version
* Network connectivity or not
* CPU family
* RAM
* Disk(s) size
* Screen(s) resolution
* GPU vendor and model
* OEM Manufacturer
* Location (based on the location selection made by the user at
install). No IP information would be gathered
* Installation duration (time taken)
* Auto login enabled or not
* Disk layout selected
* Third party software selected or not
* Download updates during install or not
* LivePatch enabled or not

[Source](https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2018-February/040139.html).

It's funny how people are completely willing to submit the same information to Valve but start overreacting when Canonical does it. And Mozilla. And a whole bunch of others.

Quoting: EhvisIt's funny how people are completely willing to submit the same information to Valve but start overreacting when Canonical does it. And Mozilla. And a whole bunch of others.

Voluntary participation is key. I am not fond at all of how these other programs snatch your data from you without a choice. Most folks aren't even aware it happens. 'It's in the EULA'... Nope, not a single person I know has ever actually read a EULA ever. My friends made fun of me for doing it once.

Either way, I am ok with this as long as it is made known and made voluntary.

Quoting: calfret

Quoting: EhvisIt's funny how people are completely willing to submit the same information to Valve but start overreacting when Canonical does it. And Mozilla. And a whole bunch of others.

Voluntary participation is key. I am not fond at all of how these other programs snatch your data from you without a choice.

I'm fine if Canonical make it like GOL style timed survey (ones a week or month) and giving choices which data we want send to them instead giving them in bulk with binary choices (Yes or No).
BTW, it is impossible to track location without IP address IMO.

Quoting: calfretNope, not a single person I know has ever actually read a EULA ever. My friends made fun of me for doing it once.

Probably I'm one of your friends. Hahahaha (I'm joking, apologies)

Quoting: calfretEither way, I am ok with this as long as it is made known and made voluntary.

It was already said that it's voluntary. Can be switched on/off in the installer and privacy settings.

Quoting: tonR* Ubuntu Flavour
* Ubuntu Version
* Network connectivity or not
* CPU family
* RAM
* Disk(s) size
* Screen(s) resolution
* GPU vendor and model
* OEM Manufacturer
* Location (based on the location selection made by the user at
install). No IP information would be gathered
* Installation duration (time taken)
* Auto login enabled or not
* Disk layout selected
* Third party software selected or not
* Download updates during install or not
* LivePatch enabled or not

[Source](https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2018-February/040139.html).

There's hardly anything to make me flinch there. None of it is identifiable, and it's pretty clearly aimed at seeing what kind of machine people are installing the OS on and what options are preferred. Sure it should be opt-in, but even if it's not, it's a far cry from something like Web analytics, in my opinion.

Just going to leave these here incase ANYONE still trusts this company or doubts their intentions.

https://mobile.twitter.com/astarrb/status/880170781841514496

From their response:

> Kirkland describes the design of the feature as follows:
> Asynchronously, about 60 seconds after boot, a systemd timer fires which runs "/etc/update-motd.d/50-motd-news --force"

> It sources 3 admin-editable config variables in /etc/default/motd-news. The defaults are: ENABLED=1, URLS="https://motd.ubuntu.com", WAIT="5"

tl;DR - Canonical embeded ads in system motds.

Quoting: devnulltl;DR - Canonical embeded ads in system motds.

Yes.. Forgot that they still have contract/connection with that A-shopping website.. Probably they wants data to promoting stuffs from that platform. :P

I honestly switched from Ubuntu after they ditched one of their primary goals (to have a 6 month release cycle with the latest Gnome) now they have gone back and forth on so many decisions (Mir, Unity, Upstart) that I just don't see any reason to go back to them for desktop usage. Besides, Debian is still more stable.

Also, I read somewhere that there was some attempt with laws that made things to be Opt-in instead of Opt-out, but I don't think it got anywhere, and probably wasn't about software like this, but begs the question, why isn't there an opt-in law? It is like everytime I download flash, I have to remember to uncheck mcafee! Pisses me off, everytime I set up a new Android phone, I have to tell it to not track my ad ID... etc.

This would be checked by default.

This is what's wrong with this idea and it's no different than the bundled software commonly found in a many Windows installers.

If my memory serves me, even Debian asks for something similar during installation, except it's turned off by default. As an online privacy-aware person, I'm fine with what they want to collect but it's very badly executed.

Pfff, the whining. The reaction to this stuff drives me nuts.

The hypocrisy is the worst. The same people crying about Ubuntu and smugly sitting on Arch, Fedora or others, will still happily play games on Unity (https://unity3d.com/legal/privacy-policy) which collects nearly identical information on game launch, and will practically beg for the chance to send the same information to Valve.

Or will use Gmail. Or Facebook. Or Whatsapp. Or just about anything that connects to the internet...

Of course, some of the whiners won't do any of that - they'll be privateers, DRM-free and proud of that stance. Good on them. As long as they understand that they're pretty much irrelevant.

Quoting: scaineOr will use Gmail. Or Facebook. Or Whatsapp. Or just about anything that connects to the internet...

There is a difference between every so often stepping into a public space knowing that in order to be there you have to accept that every thing that you do will be recorded for posterity and having to accept that your whole home is now under the same rule set.

As for "just about anything that connects to the internet" with GDPR becoming enforceable on may 25th you are going to see alot of IoT companies dying off as their businessmodel will need to be publicly stated in order for them to comply.

I don't see a lot of people using eg. fitness trackers once they are told that the data is being harvested and sold to insurance companies, but then I am still dumbstruck that people continue to use facebook knowing that they are the product being sold to the highest bidder. Maybe I just have too much faith in humanity...

Quoting: GuppyAs for "just about anything that connects to the internet" with GDPR becoming enforceable on may 25th you are going to see alot of IoT companies dying off as their businessmodel will need to be publicly stated in order for them to comply.

Well, GDPR is EU only of course, so not sure if it's going to affect this too widely. But now that you mention it, doesn't GDPR have a "privacy by design" clause which specifically forbids opt-out arrangements? They have to be opt-in.

I think. Not completely sure on that point.

Quoting: scainePfff, the whining. The reaction to this stuff drives me nuts.

I'm confused, they drive you nuts yet you accuse them of not putting their opinions to actions?

Quoting: scaineThe hypocrisy is the worst. The same people crying about Ubuntu and smugly sitting on Arch, Fedora or others, will still happily play games on Unity (https://unity3d.com/legal/privacy-policy) which collects nearly identical information on game launch, and will practically beg for the chance to send the same information to Valve.

Different things entirely. Not even sure you're referring to the same thing was you say Ubuntu. Do you mean this specific thing or people who have a general distaste for Ubuntu?

Officially, Unity and Valve do not automatically send that information to anyone. It could be argued there are things within both ecosystems that leak information (the crashreporter in Steam for example), but that is different from the steam hardware survey which is more inline with what Ubuntu wants. It again is not mandatory nor automatic on install.

Quoting: scaineOr will use Gmail. Or Facebook. Or Whatsapp. Or just about anything that connects to the internet...

Entirely different things again.

Quoting: scaineOf course, some of the whiners won't do any of that - they'll be privateers, DRM-free and proud of that stance. Good on them. As long as they understand that they're pretty much irrelevant.

LOL. K. Thanks for coming out? I mean, technically Linux users are a minority too right? .... Ohh right.