For a Better Ubuntu

On October of 2012 another version of the popular open source operating system Ubuntu was released. This version includes a new feature known as "Shopping Lens" that sends the key words of any file or application search performed on the system to remote servers owned by Canonical (the company leading the development of Ubuntu). These search key words are used to fetch real time advertisements from the electronic warehouse Amazon. This feature is enabled by default and the user is not asked for consent, neither properly informed on the gathering and storage of search key words. Such practice puts at stake the usefulness of Ubuntu in institutional or corporate environments and compromises the trust built between users and developers throughout the years. Beyond that, at least in the EU, these practices seem at odds with existing data protection laws.

Whereas we as Ubuntu users, acknowledge Ubuntu as an human-machine interface innovation platform, on which new features are constantly tested and matured.

Whereas we as Ubuntu users, acknowledge that Canonical, as the Ubuntu driving force, needs to source appropriate funding to ensure the long term success of Ubuntu.

Whereas we as Ubuntu users, would like Ubuntu to be an able operating system in any environment, be it institutional, corporate or private, taking full advantage of the versatility of Linux.

Whereas we as Ubuntu users, would like Ubuntu to remain a tenet of trust between computer system users and developers, retaining its characteristics of reliability and privacy protection.

Whereas we as Ubuntu users, would like Ubuntu to remain independent from corporate interests, the frontrunner among truly free and open source Linux distributions.