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Disable Zeitgeist activity logging

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Works with any Linux distroWorks with any Linux distribution that can run bash scripts.
  • Linux onlyThis script improves your privacy on Linux
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: High

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High

    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.
  • 4 scripts
  • No subcategories
  • Sudo/root requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

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

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

Zeitgeist logs files opened, websites visited, conversations, and emails and provides this information over an API to applications 1. It serves as a comprehensive activity log and also makes it possible to determine relationships between items based on usage patterns 1.

It stores computer use actions such as files accessed, sites visited, and conversations held. The data is typically used to facilitate searches and "best-fit" to your local query only.

There's no proof that it's uploading data. It does not send data over the network but still makes the system more vulnerable by storing usage information that can be used for further exploitation.

It is primarily used by desktop environments such as GNOME 2, Pantheon 3, and Unity 4. Furthermore, it is supported by applications (typically as optional functionality) such as Gnome Rhythmbox (as a plugin) 5, catfish (optional support) 6, and synapse 7.

Read more about Zeitgeist:

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users.

This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

Consider creating a system backup before doing any changes.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source

Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy (Military-Grade)​

  • Military-grade privacy protection
  • Major system impact
  • Consider having system backup.

Read more about Maximum and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Zeitgeist activity logging" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Zeitgeist activity logging" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Disable Zeitgeist activity logging
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 4 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

Kill Zeitgeist daemon process

"zeitgeist-daemon" is a daemon providing an activity log. Activity logs consist of a central database for events such as file usage, browser history, and calendar entries. This script stops a currently running Zeitgeist instance, letting Zeitgeist finish any operation it may currently be doing. The Zeigeist daemon receives metadata from data sources and provides it to applications using D-Bus. The datahub provides passive plugins which insert events into Zeitgeist.

Remove Zeitgeist startup entry

This script removes the Autostart entry that is used by the Zeitgeist package to start itself. (Reference: The XDG Autostart specification) defines a method for autostarting ordinary desktop entries on desktop environment startup. It is executed by desktop environments such as GNOME and KDE.

Disable access to Zeitgeist database

Zeitgeist logs its data in the "activity.sqlite" file at "$HOME/.local/share/zeitgeist/activity.sqlite". This script tells the operating system to remove read and write rights on this file to make it immutable and inaccessible to both reads and writes. It prevents Zeitgeist from updating its database. This method has been used successfully by the community.

Remove Zeitgeist package (can break integrated software)

The main functionality for Zeitgeist is provided by the "zeitgeist" package in Fedora and Arch Linux, and the "zeitgeist-core" package in Debian. It was installed by default in Ubuntu 16.x and 18.x as "zeitgeist-core". It is known to be installed by default by Arch Linux and Artix Linux too. Removing this package may break the Unity desktop environment and prevent you from searching for programs by typing into the box.

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

The guide below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

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 partie...

— Disable OS data collection

Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable OS data collection 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Disable Debian telemetry
Disable Arch Linux telemetry
Disable Zorin OS telemetry
Disable Ubuntu telemetry
Disable connectivity checks (breaks Captive Portal detection)

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process