Canonical wants to collect system and user data when installing Ubuntu
Canonical wants to collect diagnostic data when installing Ubuntu that the company says it can use to improve Ubuntu. The collect option is enabled by default.
Canonical wants to know, among other things, which Ubuntu version users install, who the manufacturer of the computer is and whether third-party software has been selected or not. In addition, data about cpu, gpu, working memory and storage disk are forwarded, as well as the screen resolution, location and whether auto-login is activated or not.
In addition, Popcon and Apport are installed upon installation to track and forward sequential package usage and crash reports. According to Will Cooke, the Ubuntu Desktop Manager, Canonical needs more data about users’ setups and what software they’re running in order to focus on the things that matter to them.
The collected data is stored in a file that Ubuntu forwards over an https connection after the first boot. Cooke emphasizes that IP numbers are not collected and that the user can inspect the forwarded file himself.
Users can prevent the collection by unchecking the installation box. At a later time, the data collection can also be turned off via the privacy panel in the Gnome settings. It is not known when Canonical wants to start with the plan. Cooke asks for feedback on the proposal.