[SOLVED] What's this about? ubuntu-advantage-tools

[ovrflo]

I had an update for ubuntu-advantage-tools pop up a few hours ago on LM20.1. Is this Ubuntu trying to sneak some sort of telemetry or other crap into our systems? Does anyone know what this is about?

I found this:
https://packages.ubuntu.com/focal/misc/ ... tage-tools
but it doesn't really say much about what it is -- it just lists a bunch of dependencies that seem to be quite reasonable things to have on the system.

For convenience I have included the descriptive info from the update program below:

Code: Select all

Ubuntu Advantage is the professional package of tooling, technology and expertise from Canonical, helping organisations around the world manage their Ubuntu deployments.

Subscribers to Ubuntu Advantage will find helpful tools for accessing services in this package.

This update affects the following installed package:
    • ubuntu-advantage-tools
Total size: 772 KB

ubuntu-advantage-tools (27.0.2~20.04.1) focal; urgency=medium

  * Backport to Focal

 -- Chad Smith <chad.smith@canonical.com>  Wed, 12 May 2021 10:10:45 -0600

ubuntu-advantage-tools (27.0.2) impish; urgency=medium

  * d/control:
    - order build-depends alternatives newer first (LP: #1926949)
    - apt-hook: do not attempt to package go APT JSON hook on some
      architectures (GH: #1603) (LP: #1927886, LP: #1927795)
  * Bug-fix release 27.0.2: build failures on riscv64 and powerpc
    - apt-hook: refactor json hook messaging to be dry
    - tests: fix subp ls error case for powerpc builds
    - jenkinsfile: add --resolve-alternatives for trusty builds
    - amend changelog: add omitted apt-hook message for 27.0.1 stanza

 -- Chad Smith <chad.smith@canonical.com>  Fri, 07 May 2021 11:58:03 -0600

[t42]

This package is needed because otherwise ubuntu-minimal will be removed, which is not recommended.
Otherwise it is your free will to subscribe or not for ubuntu live-patch service or other ones.

[all41]

Yes this comes around time to time:
Do this:
Open Synaptic Package Manager and search for ubuntu-advantage-tools and you will find--
there it is-an already installed package.
Update manager will poll and install updated packages for packages that are currently installed--no exceptions!
If you prefer to not accept a particular package update you can opt out temporarily or permamently. fwiw I accept each update as offered.
Your strategy may differ

[karlchen]

I had an update for ubuntu-advantage-tools pop up a few hours ago on LM20.1. Is this Ubuntu trying to sneak some sort of telemetry or other crap into our systems?

This package is present on any Ubuntu based Linux Mint edition.
Absolutely no need for paranoid worries Ubuntu were trying to spy on you.
Moreover, on any Ubuntu based Linux Mint edition, most of the "crap" on your disk has been received from the Ubuntu repositories.
Without all this Ubuntu "crap", your Linux Mint would be dead.

And let me quote the concise and absolutely correct answer, given above by t42:

This package is needed because otherwise ubuntu-minimal will be removed, which is not recommended.
Otherwise it is your free will to subscribe or not for ubuntu live-patch service or other ones.

Hope this clears it up.
No need to be worried.
Accept the updated package and forget about it. It will not do anything, unless you initiate the process willingly.
End of worries.

Karl

[Liebniz]

1) What is ubuntu-minimal?
2) Is it important?
3) IF it is important,
THEN WHY destroy my system without a warning my system will be destroyed if I fail to agree?
\
This is a booby-trap set for the innocent.

[newlyminted7]

Just skip it.
In the Software Installer it gives you that option.
You don't "need" it.
Move on.

[ricardogroetaers]

Thank you for that topic.

[Liebniz]

Thanks for your help, newkyminted7, all41, ovrflo.
\
The LinuxMint site told me how friendly and useful the forums were.
\
Thank you for the useful information and links for more information about Ubuntu minimum and Ubuntu advantage.
I appreciate understanding how Link Mint works. Much better than the Windows' and Apple's attitude of
don't-bother-understanding-just-install-anything-we-demand.

[ovrflo]

I had an update for ubuntu-advantage-tools pop up a few hours ago on LM20.1. Is this Ubuntu trying to sneak some sort of telemetry or other crap into our systems?

This package is present on any Ubuntu based Linux Mint edition.
Absolutely no need for paranoid worries Ubuntu were trying to spy on you.
Moreover, on any Ubuntu based Linux Mint edition, most of the "crap" on your disk has been received from the Ubuntu repositories.
Without all this Ubuntu "crap", your Linux Mint would be dead.

And let me quote the concise and absolutely correct answer, given above by t42:

This package is needed because otherwise ubuntu-minimal will be removed, which is not recommended.
Otherwise it is your free will to subscribe or not for ubuntu live-patch service or other ones.

Hope this clears it up.
No need to be worried.
Accept the updated package and forget about it. It will not do anything, unless you initiate the process willingly.
End of worries.

Karl

Thanks Karl for taking the time to provide such a complete answer.