this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2023
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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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If it's not opt in, it's spyware.
There is literally no data generated by my machine that you can take without me making an active choice to give it to you without being a bad human being. It is not your data. It's mine. There are zero exceptions.
There is exactly one valid way to collect user data. You ask permission, with precise details on how you intend to use it and how you will anonymize it. Then you respect the answer.
There is vast ocean of difference between collecting non-personalized, aggregate data internally to inform UI design decisions or improve system performance on the one hand and secretly logging personal information in order to pass on or sell to third parties on the other.
Literally every single bit of data you collect without explicit opt in is malicious and unacceptable.
There is no possible theoretical excuse for collecting anything from someone else's hardware (without a very deliberate opt in from them) that is forgivable, let alone valid. It is not your data to collect.
If you actually think it benefits the user, you should have no issue asking them for permission and telling them how it's in their interest. The fact that you won't just ask for permission is implicit acknowledgment that users don't agree with you and won't freely give it.
It will most likely be explicit opt-in, if it is implemented.
Source: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Telemetry#Many_users_want_to_require_opt-in_rather_than_opt-out