Ubuntu Telemetry

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It appears that Microsoft isn’t the only one doing telemetry.

Report is here:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/linux/ubuntu-gets-in-the-user-data-collection-business/

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Elly, Kirsty

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When I spotted that article yesterday, I noted the telemetry will be “less than Microsoft’s”, and that it will be “transmitted via HTTPS” – that made me ask the question about how MS did it.

It was interesting to see Woody’s blog today about MS not using HTTPS for catalog downloads.

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geekdom

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I don’t have a problem with the data they wish to collect. This is the list in the article:

* 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 selected at install)
* 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

None of that is personal data, and it is of little value to marketers. If MS would tell us in precise detail what they are collecting like this (their descriptions are broader and less specific), and if they offered a complete “off” that does what it says on the tin (meaning it turns it ALL off, not just most of it), I would be a lot more okay with it.

I can see how Canonical would have a legitimate interest in the data above for non-nefarious reasons, and they’re not using it in a cynical ploy to make their paying customers into involuntary beta testers a la Microsoft. I am more tolerant of things with free software (in both senses of the word).

I used to allow the basic telemetry on Firefox intentionally (as well as the optional ads they put in the new tab screen), since I had gotten it for free and I wanted to help out in some minor way. I don’t use Firefox proper anymore, but in Waterfox (which has all the telemetry removed), I keep the partner search plugins enabled and use them where possible to benefit Waterfox, just as I have my adblocker disabled here on askwoody.com. I don’t use Ubuntu directly either (I use Mint, and I doubt the telemetry will remain in it), but I would allow that basic telemetry if I did.

None of Ubuntu, Firefox, Waterfox, etc., try to force me to allow telemetry, and they’re free in both senses of the word, so they get a level of consideration Microsoft has not earned.

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Elly, geekdom

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I predict a Mint migration. However if based upon Ubuntu LTS, I woulder if the telemetry will be kept or removed in the Ubuntu based Linux distros.

Actually, the only 2 I see as potentially problematic are:

* Location (based on the location selected at install)
* Auto login enabled or not

The first due to restrictive states and censorship, the second as a potential vulnerability. We do all remember when the Mint distros had malware injected, do we not?

What was REALLY interesting was this embedded link:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-will-soon-let-users-see-what-telemetry-windows-10-collects/

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What are conditions under which telemetry would be permitted by a user?

Here are four such conditions:

•    Run under secure https: as opposed to http:
•    Provide information on uploaded elements.
•    Allow user to decline or accept telemetry reporting.
•    Not bottleneck the communication pipeline nor slow other processing time.
•    Do not bundle telemetry with other updates.

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Elly

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As a postscript, more and more computer operations are designed to be transparent. The average user, in my opinion, just wants the computer to work, rather like television and pressing the remote. To that end, updates including telemetry are bundled and automatically installed for maximum consumer comfort and ease.

Telemetry, in theory, is probably a good notion. In practice, it is rather uncomfortable.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
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It doesn’t need to uncomfortable, though. And it cannot be made comfortable through marketing department reassurances. Like so many things in life, it rests on trust.

A few times a year I go to my physician, who I trust. I allow that doctor to do things to me that quite frankly would not be appropriate if a stranger attempted the same, without my consent. And I have in the past lost trust in a physician’s office for so simple a reason as a billing error that could not be resolved. My reasoning was that a doctor willing to take shortcuts with my money, may do the same with my prognosis. Trust was lost. And I went where trust could be re-established.

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Canonical’s automated application error reporting can already send many types of information, including your computer name. For now I trust them, but we should hope they do not get greedy with their quest for information.

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