Disable Whoopsie service

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Linux.

These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.

Whoopsie works through a service file created in /lib/systemd/system/whoopsie.service 1. This script disables this service to immobilize the main functionality of Whoopsie.

This script is used as part of a post-installation script by the National Cyber Security Centre in the UK 2.

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

Disable uploading errors (Whoopsie)

This action belongs to Disable uploading errors (Whoopsie) category. The software responsible for uploading crash reports is called Whoopsie. It's always running on Ubuntu systems, watching the /var/crash directory for crash reports (that usually Apport creates) to send over the internet to Canonical servers at http://daisy.ubuntu.com for further processing.... Read more on category page ▶

Disable Ubuntu error tracker

This action belongs to Disable Ubuntu error tracker category. Ubuntu's error tracker explains crashes, hangs, and other severe errors to end users; lets them report an error; and collects these reports and shares them with Ubuntu. Error reports are also accessible to trusted Ubuntu developers who are not employed by Canonical. See ["the Ubuntu error... Read more on category page ▶

Disable Ubuntu telemetry

This action belongs to Disable Ubuntu telemetry category. Ubuntu is a Linux distribution based on Debian and composed mostly of free and open-source software. Ubuntu, along with its upstream Debian, has many official (Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Studio…) and unofficial (elementary OS, KDE neon, Linux Mint, Pop! OS, Zorin OS…) derivatives. Read more on category page ▶

Disable OS data collection

This action belongs to Disable OS data collection category. All operating systems collect data. This is part of their work. Sometimes, this data has high privacy implications, especially when it is submitted to third parties. Some Linux distributions come with out-of-the-box data collection and submission. Most of the time, this data collection is... 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 Whoopsie service.
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

if ! command -v 'systemctl' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "systemctl" is not found.'
else
  service='whoopsie'
if systemctl list-units --full -all | grep --fixed-strings --quiet "$service"; then # service exists
  if systemctl is-enabled --quiet "$service"; then
    if systemctl is-active --quiet "$service"; then
      echo "Service $service is running now, stopping it."
      if ! sudo systemctl stop "$service"; then
        >&2 echo "Could not stop $service."
      else
        echo 'Successfully stopped'
      fi
    fi
    if sudo systemctl disable "$service"; then
      echo "Successfully disabled $service."
    else
      >&2 echo "Failed to disable $service."
    fi
  else
    echo "Skipping, $service is already disabled."
  fi
else
  echo "Skipping, $service does not exist."
fi
fi

3. Paste the code into terminal.
4. 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

if ! command -v 'systemctl' &> /dev/null; then
    >&2 echo 'Cannot revert because "systemctl" is not found.'
  else
    service='whoopsie'
if systemctl list-units --full -all | grep --fixed-strings --quiet "$service"; then # service exists
  if systemctl is-enabled --quiet "$service"; then
    echo "Skipping, $service is already enabled."
  else
    if sudo systemctl enable "$service"; then
      echo "Successfully enabled $service, it may require reboot to start."
    else
      >&2 echo "Failed to enable $service."
    fi
  fi
else
  >&2 echo "Failed, $service does not exist."
fi
  fi

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