[Barrin92]

As one other commentator has pointed out, there actually has been serious consequence to Canonical, as least as far as Ubuntu as a desktop end-user distro is concerned. Many other community distributions have risen in popularity specifically around this issue of corporate involvement.

But more importantly, I don't think there is anything wrong in principle with Ubuntu collecting user data if they openly communicate it to their users. I do not agree with this Stallman-esque usage of the term spyware, if the exchange of data is voluntary and the consequence of informed decision.

If customers disagree with Ubuntu on data collection they can switch to a different distribution, but as long as the information is out there, this is not an issue, spyware or a slippery slope.

[JohnFen]

> I don't think there is anything wrong in principle with Ubuntu collecting user data if they openly communicate it to their users.

As long as it's opt-in, I agree.

> I do not agree with this Stallman-esque usage of the term spyware, if the exchange of data is voluntary

Being truly voluntary is key. If that's the case, then I agree with this. However, if data is being collected about me or the hardware/software that I'm using without my affirmative consent, that completely qualifies as "spying".