Ubuntu users: Unity allows spying on your puter, even offline.

[dixiegrrrrl]

Now I know why Mr. dixie said we are not going to update to Unity. ( Ubuntu 12.10 )

If you're an Ubuntu 12.10 user and you're using the default settings, each time you start typing in Dash
(to open an application or search for a file on your computer), your search terms get sent to a variety of third parties, some of which advertise to you.

Note: This privacy problem only affects Unity.(Ubuntu 12.10)

If you use GNOME (sudo apt-get install gnome-shell) or any other desktop environment,
or if you run an Ubuntu derivative like Linux Mint, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, etc., you won't have this problem.

Here is the fix if you use Unity:
https://fixubuntu.com/

Here is the background on teh Unity problem:

Over the last couple of years Canonical Ltd, the company that develops Ubuntu, has been pushing the Ubuntu desktop in new directions with the desktop environment called Unity. A key feature of Unity is Dash, a single place to search for apps, documents, music, and other data on your computer. Starting with the latest release of Ubuntu, Dash is also starting to search the Internet for you. While some people find this convenient, others find it a violation of their privacy. Luckily, Ubuntu makes it easy to turn this off. Scroll down to "How to Disable Amazon Ads and Data Leaks" to learn how.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/10/privacy-ubuntu-1210-amazon-ads-and-data-leaks

[PrestonLocke]

1. Unity just gets worse and worse n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. We looked into it,decided to not change over.

Canonical is getting its ears burned to a crisp by customer comments over this.
BAD time to be spy friendly.

[TroglodyteScholar]

3. Even offline?

I'd be interested to see the Unity spec that describes a method of transmitting all of this data without connectivity. Seems kind of earth-shattering.

Unfortunately, it's really just a bad title. Yes, the application that runs your term through Amazon search is installed by default regardless of whether you connect to the internet. No, Canonical has not, in their infinite malice, invented a way to transmit your information without a network connection. If you can change this thread title, you certainly ought to.

Also, the incredibly well-documented "process" of removing the offending program is literally four steps: open your package manager, search for the package, mark for removal, and apply.

Big woop!

P.S. Not a Unity fan here, either. I'm using Mint 15+Cinnamon on a really old Compaq laptop, and it's wonderful. I just don't like molehill/mountains wherever they happen to turn up.

P.P.S. How much of this stuff do you think MS is doing in their OS? I'll give you a hint--unlike the Ubuntu situation, we can't be sure because the Windows source is kept under lock-and-key.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. You have a point...

off line to me meant not being on web, not having a browser open.
Of course today most everyone is always connected to puter.

I will be happy to change title if you would do me a favor and suggest a better sentence,
my brain died an hour ago.

[TroglodyteScholar]

5. Maybe something more specific

Like "your dash runs searches through Amazon by default."

I guess it's just something that Canonical has been very forthright about, so while it's interesting new territory they're exploring, I think it's dishonest to call the well-publicized feature "spying."

Edit: This is also pretty old news... doesn't Ubuntu even have a dedicated Amazon lens now? (sorry, I haven't used the latest versions)