How To Opt Out of Ubuntu 18.04 System Information Reports

Ubuntu 18.04, also known as Bionic Beaver, includes a feature that collects system information and sends it to Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu. While this data is used to improve Ubuntu and is not personally identifiable, some users may still prefer to opt out. This article will guide you through the process of opting out of system information reports in Ubuntu 18.04.

Opting Out During Installation

The simplest way to opt out of system information reporting is during the initial installation of Ubuntu 18.04. During the installation process, you will be asked if you want to “Help improve Ubuntu”. If you select “No” at this stage, your system will not send any information to Canonical.

Opting Out After Installation

If you have already installed Ubuntu 18.04 and opted in to system information reporting, you can still opt out using the ubuntu-report command. Here’s how:

1. Open a terminal window. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
2. Enter the following command:

   ubuntu-report -f send no

   The -f parameter forces the command to run, and send no tells the system not to send any more reports.

This command sends a single message to Canonical stating that your system is opting out of all future reporting. No other system data is sent. However, it’s important to note that this command still allows Canonical to keep an accurate count of live installations.

Blocking Access on Your Router

Another way to prevent system information from being sent to Canonical is by blocking access to the telemetry servers (metrics.ubuntu.com and popcon.ubuntu.com) on your router. This method requires a bit more technical knowledge, as the process will vary depending on your specific router model. Consult your router’s manual or online support resources for instructions on how to block specific URLs.

Removing Spyware Packages

As a final measure, you can remove the packages responsible for collecting and sending system information. To do this, open a terminal and enter the following command:

sudo apt purge ubuntu-report popularity-contest apport whoopsie

This command uses sudo to run the command with administrative privileges, apt to manage packages, purge to remove packages and their configuration files, and the names of the packages to be removed.

It’s worth noting that the ubuntu:bionic Docker image on Docker Hub does not include any of these spyware packages as of April 30, 2018.

Conclusion

While system information reporting in Ubuntu 18.04 is intended to help improve the operating system, not all users may be comfortable with it. Whether you opt out during installation, use the ubuntu-report command, block access on your router, or remove the packages responsible for data collection, this guide should help you maintain your privacy while using Ubuntu.