Remove Zeitgeist package (can break integrated software)

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Linux.

These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.

The main functionality for Zeitgeist is provided by the zeitgeist package in Fedora 1 and Arch Linux 2, and the zeitgeist-core package in Debian 3.

It was installed by default in Ubuntu 16.x 4 and 18.x 5 as zeitgeist-core. It is known to be installed by default by Arch Linux 6 and Artix Linux 7 too.

Removing this package may break the Unity desktop environment and prevent you from searching for programs by typing into the box 8.

This script uses Bash (Shell script) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

• Language: bash

• Required Privileges: Root/sudo access

• Compatibility: Linux only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Disable Zeitgeist activity logging

This action belongs to Disable Zeitgeist activity logging category. Zeitgeist logs files opened, websites visited, conversations, and emails and provides this information over an API to applications. It serves as a comprehensive activity log and also makes it possible to determine relationships between items based on usage patterns. It stores computer use... 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: Remove Zeitgeist package (can break integrated software).
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 'apt-get' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "apt-get" is not found.'
else
  apt_package_name='zeitgeist-core'
if status="$(dpkg-query -W --showformat='${db:Status-Status}' "$apt_package_name" 2>&1)" \
    && [ "$status" = installed ]; then
  echo "\"$apt_package_name\" is installed and will be uninstalled."
  sudo apt-get purge -y "$apt_package_name"
else
  echo "Skipping, no action needed, \"$apt_package_name\" is not installed."
fi
fi
if ! command -v 'pacman' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "pacman" is not found.'
else
  pkg_package_name='zeitgeist'
if pacman -Qs "$pkg_package_name" > /dev/null ; then
  echo "\"$pkg_package_name\" is installed and will be uninstalled."
  sudo pacman -Rcns "$pkg_package_name" --noconfirm
else
  echo "The package $pkg_package_name is not installed"
fi
fi
if ! command -v 'dnf' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "dnf" is not found.'
else
  rpm_package_name='zeitgeist'
sudo dnf autoremove -y --skip-broken "$rpm_package_name"
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 'apt-get' &> /dev/null; then
    >&2 echo 'Cannot revert because "apt-get" is not found.'
  else
    apt_package_name='zeitgeist-core'
if status="$(dpkg-query -W --showformat='${db:Status-Status}' "$apt_package_name" 2>&1)" \
    && [ "$status" = installed ]; then
  echo "Skipping, no action needed because \"$apt_package_name\" is already installed."
else
  echo "\"$apt_package_name\" is not installed and will be reinstalled."
  sudo apt-get install -y "$apt_package_name"
fi
  fi
if ! command -v 'pacman' &> /dev/null; then
    >&2 echo 'Cannot revert because "pacman" is not found.'
  else
    pkg_package_name='zeitgeist'
if pacman -Qs "$pkg_package_name" > /dev/null ; then
  echo "Skipping, no action needed because \"$pkg_package_name\" is already installed."
else
  echo "\"$pkg_package_name\" is not installed and will be reinstalled."
  sudo pacman -S "$pkg_package_name" --noconfirm
fi
  fi
if ! command -v 'dnf' &> /dev/null; then
    >&2 echo 'Cannot revert because "dnf" is not found.'
  else
    rpm_package_name='zeitgeist'
sudo dnf install -y "$rpm_package_name"
  fi

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