Stop The Hysteria

Authors Jason Self

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jxself.org

Stop The Hysteria Home

Back in December 2012, Richard Stallman wrote Ubuntu Spyware: What to Do? Linux-libre
In it he criticized Canonical collecting search queries from Ubuntu users. He rightly
called that spyware. GitWeb

I've noticed though that some seem to have taken this and morphed it into something How To
bigger in which they think the whole distro is spyware. That's quite a jump from the
original. They even cite this as a reason to not use Ubuntu and recommend other Articles
people not use it either. Don't get me wrong: Ubuntu includes proprietary software,
which makes it evil. Everyone should only use free software, which means not using
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Ubuntu, so I'm certainly not going to complain about people leaving Ubuntu.

This is something different because it didn't stop there. It seems to have grown from About Me
that single thing about search queries to people saying the entire distro is spyware to
people even going so far as saying all Ubuntu-based derivatives (such as Trisquel) Contact Me
include spyware too.
GPL enforced
It's like some form of mass hysteria.

Let's go back to the beginning: It all started with Canonical collecting search queries If you appreciate any of the things I
from Ubuntu users, nothing more. Claims that the entire Ubuntu distro is spyware are am doing you can make a donation.
not supported by any evidence I'm aware of and making the further claim that all
Ubuntu-based derivatives also include spyware merely by association is just
nonsense. Derivatives can easily remove that package. If you have actual evidence to
support any such claim then speak up and provide it. Otherwise it just amounts to
FUD. Let's stop the hysteria here and now.