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Disable participation in Popularity Contest

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Linux.

These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.

popularity-contest checks /etc/popularity-contest.conf for the value of PARTICIPATE to send data 1. Configuring this configuration allows you to opt out of the submission of data 1.

This script uses Bash (Shell script) scripting language.

Safe for General Use

This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Implementation Details

  • Language: bash

  • Required Privileges: Root/sudo access

  • Compatibility: Linux only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable sending of package statistics (popcon) category. Popularity Contest (or popcon) collects statistical data to determine which packages are the most popular. It sends a list of packages installed and the access and change times of relevant files to the server via email in different distros such as Debian and Ubuntu. popularity-contest package... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable participation in Popularity Contest.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Terminal

  2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes
config_file='/etc/popularity-contest.conf'
if [ -f "$config_file" ]; then
  sudo sed -i '/PARTICIPATE/c\PARTICIPATE=no' "$config_file"
else
  echo "Skipping because configuration file at ($config_file) is not found. Is popcon installed?"
fi
  1. Paste the code into terminal.
  2. Press Enter to apply the code.

Some scripts requires restarting your computer to take affect.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
config_file='/etc/popularity-contest.conf'
if [ -f "$config_file" ]; then
  sudo sed -i 's/PARTICIPATE=no/PARTICIPATE=yes/g' "$config_file"
else
  echo "Skipping because configuration file ($config_file) is not found. Is popcon installed?"
fi

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