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submitted 19 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago) by fireshell@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

The developers of the Manjaro Linux distribution, built on the basis of Arch Linux and aimed at beginners, announced the beginning of testing a new service MDD (Manjaro Data Donor), designed to collect statistics about the system and send it to the external server of the project. The author of the MDD intended to enable telemetry by default (opt-out), but the decision has not yet been approved and, judging by the objections of some developers and users, it is likely that telemetry will be offered as an option requiring prior consent of the user (a request to enable telemetry is proposed to be added to the greeting interface after the first download).

The report includes data such as host name, kernel version, desktop component versions, detailed information about hardware and drivers involved, screen size and resolution information, network device MAC addresses, disk serial numbers, disk partition data, information about the number of running processes and installed packages, versions of basic packages such as systemd, gcc, bash and PipeWire.

The sent data is stored on the project server in the ClickHouse database and visualized using the Grafana platform. The IP addresses of users are not stored, and the hash from the /etc/machine-id file is used as the system identifier.

Аccording to the code https://github.com/manjaro/mdd/blob/master/mdd.py#L40 sends everything.

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[-] Majestic@lemmy.ml 3 points 44 minutes ago

data such as host name,

Okay why do they need to know that? Why do they need to know if the computer is called "Melissa's Laptop" or "Workstation 15, Internal security division"? Seems like this kind of data could if stolen be misused and it has minimal legitimate purpose IMO as anyone can put anything as host name and while in organizations it often corresponds to use it doesn't have to for individuals. Someone could call their machine "Mack's Porn Rig" and they only use it for doing banking and a little coding.

kernel version, desktop component versions, detailed information about hardware and drivers involved, screen size and resolution information,

This all seems legitimate enough, this would be helpful for understanding the hardware their users run on and targeting features or bug fixes.

network device MAC addresses,

Not great but there is an argument for it, they could just grab and send the first 3-4 octets which would give them the info they need on manufacturers without getting uniquely identifiable data that along with some of this other stuff is concerning for fingerprinting.

disk serial numbers,

Okay, what the fuck. Why do they need disk serial numbers? What possible use is there for that. Those are used for warranty claims and could be used as part of uniquely fingerprinting a computer and person. Not cool.

disk partition data,

This is vague enough. I guess one could choose to see this as just info about partitions in use say if there's also an NTFS partition that looks like a Windows install that would be useful but on the other hand data encompassed within a partition could also nefariously be read as allowing them access to all your data. Partition layout, partition labels, and file systems used on disks available to the system would be a clearer way to put this and erase any doubt.

information about the number of running processes and installed packages, versions of basic packages such as systemd, gcc, bash and PipeWire.

All this is also fine just technical data stuff.

[-] Classy@sh.itjust.works 5 points 7 hours ago

Once again proven right that EndeavourOS is the superior downstream Arch distro

[-] d0ntpan1c@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 6 hours ago

I moved one of my computers to endeavor, but one is still on manjaro and the contrast is kinda hilarious. Manjaro machine always gets funky after updates, it struggles to deal with sleep and hibernation, and it feels slow even when its like 4x as powerful as my EndeavourOS machine.

[-] bruhsoulz@lemmy.ml 5 points 8 hours ago

Glad i said fuck it and went straight to actual arch when i wanted to try arch based. Literally like 9/10 times i hear manjaro brought up its not going to be in praise. Ffs lol

[-] imalmo@lemmy.ml 9 points 10 hours ago

I've defended Manjaro many a time, despite the mistakes they've made. The main reason for this, Manjaro is the most stable Linux distro I've used.

However, the main reason I ditched Windows as my primary OS was telemetry (and bloat). If Manjaro introduce this, it absolutely must be opt-in.

I actually contribute to the Steam hardware survey as I want to ensure Valve, but more so hardware manufacturers, are aware desktop Linux systems for gaming and creative work are viable. But it's my choice to contribute.

If Manjaro don't implement this as an opt-in then I'll be installing Arch. It will be a pain to configure my software again but needs must.

[-] g1ya777@lemmy.world 7 points 10 hours ago

With archinstall, anybody can install Arch in 10 minutes nowadays. Why use Manjaro ?

[-] nichtburningturtle@feddit.org 4 points 10 hours ago

To many options? A new user might be confused, by for example choosing a the correct disk layout.

[-] ColdWater@lemmy.ca 8 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago)

That list about which data they're collecting is longer than my highschool essay

[-] LiveLM@lemmy.zip 36 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

Opt-out? I see it's time for the seasonal Manjaro fuck up.

[-] seaQueue@lemmy.world 12 points 14 hours ago

They'll find some way to make this change break the AUR again

[-] communism@lemmy.ml 22 points 14 hours ago

Why on earth do they need to know hostname? MAC addresses?

[-] ILikeTraaaains@lemmy.world 9 points 10 hours ago

And disk serial numbers 😟

[-] potentiallynotfelix@lemmy.fish 13 points 13 hours ago

Manjaro is already less stable than arch, now it collects your data involuntarily? Fucking wild how anyone can use it.

[-] Cube6392@beehaw.org 3 points 8 hours ago

clown distro makes clown decision

[-] ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org 5 points 11 hours ago

hostname? MAC address? serial numbers? does "partitionx data also include names and GUIDs?

why would they need these? what is wrong with them??

[-] chaosCruiser@futurology.today 69 points 18 hours ago

Opt-out? Seriously? What are the Manjaro devs smoking?

[-] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 2 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

Ad firm money.

Maybe I'm just cynical, but my first instinct when I see stuff like this is they have a secret contract with an advertiser and are selling this information.

[-] seaQueue@lemmy.world 18 points 14 hours ago

Whatever they can get their hands on, including your unique hardware identifiers

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[-] 0x0@programming.dev 22 points 15 hours ago

I get the usefulness of technical telemetry such as kernel version, RAM, disk space, processor type, etc... but NIC MAC? HDD serial? WTF?

[-] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 5 points 8 hours ago

Those are absolutely ways of covertly identifying your device while technically not counting as "personal information" under privacy laws.

[-] 0x0@programming.dev 2 points 8 hours ago

Serial numbers are hardly covert though... but yeah.

[-] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 3 points 8 hours ago

The point is that it's a loophole in privacy laws so they don't have to outright tell people that they collect personal or identifying information. So they can legally mislead people by claiming it's anonymous telemetry in hopes that users don't actually look into it or understand the implications.

[-] Fijxu@programming.dev 9 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago)

Yeah that makes no sense lol. Who needs MAC addresses to debug and fix bugs? No one.

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[-] MyNameIsRichard@lemmy.ml 60 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago)

enable telemetry by default ... MAC addresses, disk serial numbers

Another reason to not use Manjaro. Just use Endeavour instead.

Edit: I'm not against telemetry pre se. I have the KDE feedback enabled for example but that was opt in and sends no unique data.

[-] rtxn@lemmy.world 23 points 18 hours ago

It's all about trust. Manjaro has given me reasons to distrust them.

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[-] IcyToes@sh.itjust.works 20 points 15 hours ago

I just don't see a good reason to use Manjaro and many reasons not to.

[-] seaQueue@lemmy.world 10 points 14 hours ago

Friends don't let friends use Manjaro

[-] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 1 points 8 hours ago

Like if you're going to use Arch btw, go all the way and use actual Arch.

[-] clmbmb@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 13 hours ago

I don't get why someone would use Manjaro after so many fuckups.. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you're either too new to Linux or don't care. Just look for "manjaro certificates" or "manjaro drama" and you'll find out for yourself.

[-] notprogrammer@programming.dev 26 points 16 hours ago

The report includes data such as host name, kernel version, desktop component versions, detailed information about hardware and drivers involved, screen size and resolution information, network device MAC addresses, disk serial numbers, disk partition data, information about the number of running processes and installed packages, versions of basic packages such as systemd, gcc, bash and PipeWire.

That's insane

[-] savvywolf@pawb.social 33 points 17 hours ago

Why do they need information about the hostname? Is it really valuable for them to know how many systems are named daves-pc?

[-] GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml 48 points 18 hours ago

network device MAC addresses, disk serial numbers

That's enough. I'm calling it evil from now on.

[-] Bezier@suppo.fi 23 points 18 hours ago

Thought it's probably fine after reading the title, but this shit isn't fine. What the fuck.

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[-] sirico@feddit.uk 19 points 18 hours ago

It amazes me it's still as popular as it is and still own goaling at least once a year.

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this post was submitted on 05 Nov 2024
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Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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