However, we also want to ensure that the data we collect is meaningful, so gnome-initial-setup will default to displaying the toggle as enabled,even though the underlying setting will initially be disabled. (The underlying setting will not actually be enabled until the user finishes the privacy page, to ensure users have the opportunity to disable the setting before any data is uploaded.) This is to ensure the system is opt-out, not opt-in. This is essential because we know that opt-in metrics are not very useful. Few users would opt in, and these users would not be representative of Fedora users as a whole. We are not interested in opt-in metrics.
Essentially they’re playing with words to say it’s opt in but if you just click Next like most users will do, it’ll be enabled. The developer openly admits few users would opt in and complains that it wouldn’t be useful.
That’s lip service to privacy with spyware in reality.
but if you just click Next like most users will do, it’ll be enabled
That’s the definition of opt-out, so they’re telling the truth :) Opt-out is the worse alternative when it comes to unwanted features, opt-in would have been better.
red hat, what are you doing
P R O F I T
Do you know how this will affect existing installations? Is this gnome only or any desktop?
States the gnome-initial-setup. KDE is big on telemetry only being opt-in, so it seems like just the gnome environment. Or at least I hope I’m right…
That said, Fedora Legal has determined that if we collect any personally-identifiable data, the entire metrics system must be opt-in. Since we are only interested in opt-out metrics due to the low value of opt-in metrics, we must accordingly never collect any personally-identifiable data.
Looks like this statement contradicts with their goal.
How, exactly? They’ve been saying from the very beginning that they don’t need or want personally-identifiable data.
Opt-in = Low value metrics
Opt-out = Better metrics
If I read that right, looks like Fedora is justifying application of opt-out metrics as long as there’s little/no PII present in the data collected.
I’m happier than ever that I moved to a different distro. I was a Fedora user since they started and was happy to use it for a few years at the job. But seeing what’s happening with the whole red hat shit it makes me sad for the people who gave a lot of their time and passion for this.
It’s getting harder and harder for the Fedora devs to show they are independent of red hat…
