riverar/toptout

:satellite: Easily opt-out from telemetry collection

Toptout: easily opt-out from telemetry collection

Telemetry in software projects is a polarized issue: on the one hand it allows developers to improve their work by collecting various metrics, on the other hand - nobody likes to be spied on. The goal of this project is to put you in control. See what data is collected by the tools you use and decide if you want to share it. Then use methods provided here to opt-in or opt-out.

Details

The core of this project is a set of JSON files which describe what telemetry is collected and what can be done to enable or disable it.

Real-world applications

Telemetry data from the JSON files can be used in various ways. Here are several examples:

• The README you see is automatically generated
• Scripts to disable all known telemetry channels in your shell session

Contributing

If the tool you're using is not here you can easily add it by creating a new JSON file describing its telemetry data channels.

See CONTRIBUTING and data/README for details.

Future plans

• API to serve this data online.
• Automated tool that can ingest the data from the API. You could run it on your machine to detect and configure telemetry in all suported products.
• ???

Related projects

• Console Do Not Track (DNT)

  A proposed unified standard for opting out of telemetry for TUI/console apps: export DO_NOT_TRACK=1

• privacy.sexy

  Web tool to enforce privacy & security best-practices on Windows, because privacy is sexy 🍑🍆

  GitHub: undergroundwires/privacy.sexy

Table of Contents

• Applications
  • Atom
  • Firefox
  • Homebrew
  • Microsoft 365 | Enterprise
  • Microsoft calculator
  • VSCode
• Cloud
  • AWS SAM CLI
  • Azure CLI
  • Google Cloud SDK
  • Netdata
  • Netlify CLI
  • Stripe CLI
  • Tilt
• Development
  • Apache Cordova CLI
  • Gatsby
  • Hasura GraphQL engine
  • .NET Core SDK
  • Next.js
• DevOps
  • AutomatedLab
• Drivers
  • Nvidia drivers
• Operating systems
  • Windows 10
• Shells
  • PowerShell Core

Applications

Atom

Help improve Atom by sending usage statistics, exceptions and deprecations to the team.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

The user's decision is stored at core.telemetryConsent. The three possible values are undecided, no and limited. The intent is that consent is given if and only if limited is chosen.

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Edit config file (plaintext)

Scope: 👤 User

OS	Path
Linux	$HOME/.atom/init.coffee
macOS	$HOME/.atom/init.coffee
Windows	%USERPROFILE%\.atom\init.coffee

Content

atom.config.set('core.telemetryConsent', 'no')

Firefox

Telemetry collects information about your Firefox browsing experience to improve Firefox features, browser performance and stability.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Enable policies (macOS)

Official: ✔

Enable Firefox policies so the telemetry can be configured.

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Run command

Scope: 💻 Machine

OS	Command
macOS	defaults write /Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox EnterprisePoliciesEnabled -bool TRUE

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Examples of the kind of data Telemetry sends to Mozilla includes start-up time, time between cycle collector runs, memory heap used, whether hardware graphics acceleration or Java is enabled, and more. Telemetry does not collect any bookmarks or passwords. It may collect anonymized site visit information in some circumstances, such as when a secure browsing connection fails to connect, or for some experiments.

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Run command

Scope: 💻 Machine

OS	Command
macOS	defaults write /Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox DisableTelemetry -bool TRUE

2. Edit config file (JSON)

Scope: 💻 Machine

OS	Path
Linux	distribution/policies.json
macOS	/Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/Resources/distribution/policies.json
Windows	distribution\policies.json

Content

{
  "policies": {
    "DisableTelemetry": true
  }
}

3. Set registry key

Scope: 💻 Machine

• Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\DisableTelemetry
• Type: REG_DWORD
• Value: 1

Scope: 👤 User

• Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\DisableTelemetry
• Type: REG_DWORD
• Value: 1

Homebrew

Homebrew has begun gathering anonymous aggregate user behaviour analytics and reporting these to Google Analytics.

• Telemetry details

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

HOMEBREW_NO_ANALYTICS=1

2. Run command

Scope: 👤 User

brew analytics off

Microsoft 365 | Enterprise

Microsoft is committed to providing you with the information and controls you need to make choices about how your data is collected and used when you’re using Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (previously named Office 365 ProPlus).

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Diagnostic data

Official: ✔

Configure the level of client software diagnostic data sent by Office to Microsoft.

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Run command

Scope: 💻 Machine

OS	Command
macOS	defaults write com.microsoft.office DiagnosticDataTypePreference -string ZeroDiagnosticData

2. Set registry key

Scope: 👤 User

• Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\privacy\SendTelemetry
• Type: REG_DWORD
• Value: 3

Microsoft calculator

This project collects usage data and sends it to Microsoft to help improve our products and services.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Diagnostic data

Official: ✔

Diagnostic data is disabled in development builds by default, and can be enabled with the SEND_DIAGNOSTICS build flag.

VSCode

Visual Studio Code collects telemetry data, which is used to help understand how to improve the product.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

VS Code collects usage data that helps to debug issues, such as slow start-up times, and to prioritize new features.

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Edit config file (JSON)

Scope: 👤 User

OS	Path
Linux	$HOME/.config/Code/User/settings.json
macOS	$HOME/Library/Application Support/Code/User/settings.json
Windows	%APPDATA%\Code\User\settings.json

Content

{
  "telemetry.enableTelemetry": false
}

📡 Crash data

Official: ✔

VS Code collects data about any crashes that occur and sends it to Microsoft to help improve our products and services.

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Edit config file (JSON)

Scope: 👤 User

OS	Path
Linux	$HOME/.config/Code/User/settings.json
macOS	$HOME/Library/Application Support/Code/User/settings.json
Windows	%APPDATA%\Code\User\settings.json

Content

{
  "telemetry.enableCrashReporter": false
}

Cloud

AWS SAM CLI

At AWS, we develop and launch services based on what we learn from interactions with customers. We use customer feedback to iterate on our product. Telemetry is additional information that helps us to better understand our customers’ needs, diagnose issues, and deliver features that improve the customer experience. The AWS SAM CLI collects telemetry, such as generic usage metrics, system and environment information, and errors.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

SAM_CLI_TELEMETRY=0

Azure CLI

Allow Microsoft to collect anonymous data on the usage of the CLI.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

AZURE_CORE_COLLECT_TELEMETRY=0

2. Run command

Scope: 👤 User

az configure -d collect_telemetry=0

Google Cloud SDK

Unless you opt-in during Google Cloud SDK installation, Cloud SDK software does not collect usage statistics. You can help Google to prioritize Google Cloud SDK features and improvements by permitting Cloud SDK to send command-line command usage statistics to Google.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Run command

Scope: 👤 User

gcloud config set disable_usage_reporting true

Netdata

By default, Netlify collects data on usage of Netlify CLI commands. We do this to improve the reliability and performance of Netlify CLI, and to help drive new features and improvements.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

DO_NOT_TRACK=1

Netlify CLI

By default, Netlify collects data on usage of Netlify CLI commands. We do this to improve the reliability and performance of Netlify CLI, and to help drive new features and improvements.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Run command

Scope: 👤 User

netlify --telemetry-disable

2. Edit config file (JSON)

Scope: 👤 User

OS	Path
Linux	$HOME/.netlify/config.json
macOS	$HOME/.netlify/config.json
Windows	%USERPROFILE%\.netlify\config.json

Content

{
  "telemetryDisabled": true
}

Stripe CLI

The Stripe CLI includes a telemetry feature that collects some usage data. This feature is enabled by default.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

STRIPE_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT=1

Tilt

Tilt sends anonymized data about how you use it.

• Telemetry details

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

DO_NOT_TRACK=1

Development

Apache Cordova CLI

We use the gathered information to help us make our tool more useful and to better understand how it is used. We do not track or collect personally identifiable information or associate gathered data with any personally identifying information from other sources.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

CI=ANY_VALUE

2. Run command

Scope: 👤 User

cordova telemetry off

Gatsby

Gatsby contains a telemetry feature that collects anonymous usage information that is used to help improve Gatsby for all users. The Gatsby user base is growing very rapidly. It’s important that our small team and the greater community will better understand the usage patterns, so we can best decide how to design future features and prioritize current work.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

GATSBY_TELEMETRY_DISABLED=1

2. Run command

Scope: 👤 User

gatsby telemetry --disable

Hasura GraphQL engine

The Hasura GraphQL engine collects anonymous telemetry data that helps the Hasura team in understanding how the product is being used and in deciding what to focus on next.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data (CLI and Console)

Official: ✔

The CLI collects each execution event, along with a randomly generated UUID. The execution event contains the command name, timestamp and whether the execution resulted in an error or not. Error messages, arguments and flags are not recorded. The CLI also collects the server version and UUID that it is talking to. The operating system platform and architecture is also noted along with the CLI version.

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

HASURA_GRAPHQL_ENABLE_TELEMETRY=false

2. Edit config file (JSON)

Scope: 👤 User

OS	Path
Linux	$HOME/.hasura/config.json
macOS	$HOME/.hasura/config.json
Windows	%USERPROFILE%\.hasura\config.json

Content

{
  "enable_telemetry": false
}

.NET Core SDK

The NET Core SDK includes a telemetry feature that collects usage data and exception information when the .NET Core CLI crashes. The .NET Core CLI comes with the .NET Core SDK and is the set of verbs that enable you to build, test, and publish your .NET Core apps. It's important that the .NET team understands how the tools are used so they can be improved. Information on failures helps the team resolve problems and fix bugs.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT=true

Next.js

Next.js collects completely anonymous telemetry data about general usage. Participation in this anonymous program is optional, and you may opt-out if you'd not like to share any information.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

NEXT_TELEMETRY_DISABLED=1

2. Run command

Scope: 👤 User

npx next telemetry disable

DevOps

AutomatedLab

AutomatedLab will start to collect telemetry starting with version 5.0. This is an opt-out collection and you will be asked once to specify whether or not you want to send us telemetry data.

• Telemetry details

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

AUTOMATEDLAB_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT=1

2. Run command

Scope: 👤 User

OS	Command
Other	pwsh -NoLogo -NoProfile -NonInteractive -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "Import-Module AutomatedLab -ErrorAction Stop ; Disable-LabTelemetry -ErrorAction Stop"
Windows	powershell -NoLogo -NoProfile -NonInteractive -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "Import-Module AutomatedLab -ErrorAction Stop ; Disable-LabTelemetry -ErrorAction Stop"

Drivers

Nvidia drivers

Details on your device and network configurations, how you are using our products or services (including the software you are using), and details on how your system is performing, so we can optimize hardware and software configurations.

• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Diagnostic data

Official: ❌

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Visit link(s) for more details

1. Disable Nvidia Telemetry

   Disable Nvidia Telemetry is a utility that allows you to disable the telemetry services Nvidia bundles with their drivers.

Operating systems

Windows 10

Microsoft collects Windows diagnostic data to solve problems and to keep Windows up to date, secure, and operating properly.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data | Enterpise

Official: ✔

Applies to: Windows 10 Enterprise/Education, Windows Server 2016 and newer

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set registry key

Scope: 💻 Machine

• Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection\AllowTelemetry
• Type: REG_DWORD
• Value: 0

📡 Usage data

Official: ❌

There is no official way to disable telemetry in all other Windows editions (Home/Pro/etc...)

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Visit link(s) for more details

1. ghacks.net | Comparison of Windows 10 Privacy tools

   We update the listing regularly. Please let us know about any updates that we may have missed, and about new programs that you found that are not on it already.

2. github.com | crazy-max/WindowsSpyBlocker

   🛡 Block spying and tracking on Windows

3. github.com | Disassembler0/Win10-Initial-Setup-Script

   PowerShell script for automation of routine tasks done after fresh installations of Windows 10 / Server 2016 / Server 2019

4. github.com | builtbybel/spydish

   👀👮🐢🔥The Spydish app is the simplest way to perform a quick privacy and security check of your Windows 10 installation

5. github.com | builtbybel/sharpapp

   💩⭐️🚀A #app with cutting edge technology to #minimize windows-10 telemetry and #maximize privacy plus many more

Shells

PowerShell Core

PowerShell Core sends basic telemetry data to Microsoft when it is launched. The data includes the OS name, OS version, and PowerShell version. This data allows us to better understand the environments where PowerShell is used and enables us to prioritize new features and fixes.

• Telemetry details
• Privacy policy

List of known telemetry channels:

📡 Usage data

Official: ✔

Use methods described below to opt-out of this telemetry channel.

1. Set environment variable

Scope: 🗗 Process

POWERSHELL_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT=1