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Clear unified system and app logs

Overview​

About this category

This category contains privacy scripts for macOS.

These changes use Mac system commands to update your settings.

This category contains scripts for clearing unified logs on macOS.

This system is referred to as the unified logging system 1, macOS Unified Logs 2, or Apple Unified Logging and Activity Tracing 3. It was introduced with macOS Sierra 2 3, version 10.12 2. This system centralizes all logs, providing a comprehensive and detailed record of both system and application activities 1 2. These logs are stored on both disk and in memory 1. They are used for debugging 1 and offer insights into app behavior and system events 1 2 3.

However, these logs also present significant privacy and security concerns:

  • The logs collect extensive telemetry data 1 2.
  • They are often used for forensic analysis to study user behavior 2.
  • Unauthorized access may lead to privacy breaches, system exploits, and user tracking.

Clearing these logs enhances user privacy by mitigating the risk of exposing sensitive information.

Caution

Deleting these logs may hinder system troubleshooting and monitoring.

Use with Caution

This category is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Apply now​

These scripts are written using Bash (Shell script) scripting language.

Choose one of two ways to apply:

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

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

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

Open privacy.sexy

It allows selectively choose parts of this action to conduct. 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 category name: Clear unified system and app logs.
  3. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Consider restarting your computer for all changes to take affect.

Reversible

This action is completely reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

Strict​

This script includes Standard and Strict recommendation levels.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand their implications of every single change. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Download Strict scripts:

Download script

Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

Explore further​

This category includes total of 2 scripts but no subcategories.

Explore its 2 scripts:

Clear diagnostic logs

This script removes diagnostic logs. These logs document system and application activities. The data is stored in a compressed format called "tracev3". They include detailed data about processes, libraries, and events. The logs are stored in the "/private/var/db/diagnostics" directory. You can also access them via "/var/db/diagnostics/", since "/var" links to "/private/var". These logs are used in forensic analysis to study your behavior, posing a privacy risk. Unauthorized access to these logs ...

Clear diagnostic log details

This script removes extra logging details for diagnostic logs. This data provides additional details to existing system logs. This information includes detailed data on events such as crashes and system errors. The data is then mapped to their respective logs. The logs are stored in the "/private/var/db/uuidtext" directory. You can also access them via "/var/db/uuidtext/", since "/var" links to "/private/var". These logs are used in forensic analysis to study your behavior, posing a privacy risk...

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Clear system and app logs category. This category includes scripts that delete various operating system logs. These logs document system operations, user activities, application behavior, and errors. While essential for debugging and monitoring, these logs contain sensitive information and pose privacy risks. Deleting these logs:... Read more on category page ▶

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