Linux Format forums

Amazon Adds

Jimmers — Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:16 pm

Author: Jimmers

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:16 pm

I came across this article, and it worked for me, I run Ubuntu 12.10 on a flash drive.

How to Disable Amazon Ads and Data Leaks

You can uninstall Dash's Amazon integration by removing the package called unity-lens-shopping from your computer. Ubuntu 12.10, you can uninstall it by opening the Terminal app and typing: sudo apt-get remove unity-lens-shopping.
I also think that it maybe in the Software Centre

Just my few Penneth worth.

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

nelz — Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:25 am

Author: nelz

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:25 am

el chapul�n wrote:

The bug relates to the new shopping lens - it's the same issue.

Eh? It's a completely different issue that affects the same component. The bug make no mention of data mining or adverts, it is about potentially inappropriate content being returns, which could be the case with any search facility.

nelz wrote:

While not technically advertising this is data mining - and google's search results include ads by the way...

Data mining is an important issue, but the complaint was about ads, which was based on a false assumption. As you say, Google's search results already include ads, and Google are hardly novices when it comes to data mining, so why is the addition of Amazon to the list of search resources used such a bad thing?

"I'm happy to give Google all sorts of information about me but don't tell Amazon anything" is hardly a sensible attitude.

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

el chapul�n — Thu Sep 27, 2012 9:29 am

Author: el chapul�n

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 9:29 am

nelz wrote:

That bug relates to a different, and quite valid, concern. Sending search queries to search engines seems to be a reasonable default, and it is only a default not a forced setting.

The bug relates to the new shopping lens - it's the same issue.

nelz wrote:

More importantly, the only place ads are mentioned is in the subject of this thread. Dash is returning shopping results, just like Google does.

While not technically advertising this is data mining - and google's search results include ads by the way...

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

nelz — Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:04 pm

Author: nelz

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:04 pm

That bug relates to a different, and quite valid, concern. Sending search queries to search engines seems to be a reasonable default, and it is only a default not a forced setting.

More importantly, the only place ads are mentioned is in the subject of this thread. Dash is returning shopping results, just like Google does.

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

el chapul�n — Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:36 pm

Author: el chapul�n

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:36 pm

This is not about a web browser coming with optional search engines, this is the UI which is also used to search for local files/programs, sending every query in plain text to Amazon unless (it's disabled).

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/unity-lens-shopping/+bug/1054282

Obviously Unity / the "HUD" was designed with this kind of thing in mind - convince users they should be typing stuff in, instead of clicking on things - capture that data = $$$$

People excuse it with "oh well they need to make money, FOSS can't survive etc..." well it seems to have survived very well so far without Mr Shuttleworth's business model...

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

wyliecoyoteuk — Wed Sep 26, 2012 3:23 pm

Author: wyliecoyoteuk

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 3:23 pm

In actual fact, Amazon search is already offered among the search engine options in many web browsers, (as are Bing, ebay, yahoo and wikipedia) this is just adding it to the dash as well.
Not really that much of a problem is it?

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

nelz — Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:42 pm

Author: nelz

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:42 pm

You seem to be under the impression that this service will automatically put ads on the desktop, whereas I understand it to be incorporating Amazon results in the search facility. Until you search for something, you will see nothing from Amazon.

The service is not "on" by default, but it is available by default. Bearing in mind how few people RTFM, having this option without enabling it would be about as useful as not having it in the first place.

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

Debian Acolyte — Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:06 pm

Author: Debian Acolyte

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:06 pm

nelz wrote:

How can you use the service if the software for it is not installed? Maybe you would prefer a distro to not install a web browser in case you don't want to use it?

Apparently we are engaged in two different discussions. The discussion I am involved in is:

"We offer this service". (It is currently not installed. If you choose to install it, it will be available.)
That is different than, "We install this service (or software), whether you want it or not. It is up to you to remove it if you do not want it."

Quote:

How can you use the service if the software for it is not installed?

I have no idea how this is supposed to relate to the discussion.
No. A service cannot be used if it is not installed. That is the point. In this case, it is installed by default. Those who do not want to use it, do not want it installed.

Quote:

Maybe you would prefer a distro to not install a web browser in case you don't want to use it?

Comparing the inclusion of a web browser in an OS with the inclusion of Amazon sales services is ridiculous.

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

nelz — Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:52 pm

Author: nelz

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:52 pm

AIUI Canonical are making no decisions for you, they are simply extending the search facility to give results from one more source. There are no ads, in fact there's nothing until you choose to search for something.

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

Dutch_Master — Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:39 pm

Author: Dutch_Master

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:39 pm

There's a distinct difference between a basic service and an extended service and even, may I add, an extension to a basic service... A webbrowser is a basic service. Adblock is an extension to that basic service. What Canonical is doing now is make decisions for you: we know better then you what you want, and this is what you want, so we can make money from it I now see no difference between Canonical and M$ in terms of freedom to choose what to install.

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

nelz — Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:57 pm

Author: nelz

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:57 pm

Debian Acolyte wrote:

How can you use the service if the software for it is not installed? Maybe you would prefer a distro to not install a web browser in case you don't want to use it?

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

Debian Acolyte — Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:32 pm

Author: Debian Acolyte

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:32 pm

wyliecoyoteuk wrote:

There is no need for "ethical" sneering at an attempt to pay for the development of a product

There is nothing wrong with offering a service. "We have a service that you can use both as a convenience to yourself and help the distribution at the same time." Installing it and putting it on the desktop as default is a different situation.

On the Debian forum, the main complaint about it is the security danger. Apparently, the data is sent between the user's computer and Canonical unencrypted. Potentially giving Amazon access to information intended to be private.

And no. I do not use Google. Not because of advertising, but for more important reasons.

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

Rhakios — Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:20 pm

Author: Rhakios

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:20 pm

nelz wrote:

Or is the evilness of money dependent on the direction of travel?

Yes.

Next question.

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

nelz — Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:19 pm

Author: nelz

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:19 pm

There are no adverts, just Amazon search results included in the search facility. This is not an attempt to cover the desktop with adverts - not that I have a problem with adverts as such. I assume the people complaining about adverts squealed just as loudly in protest at the money that Shuutleworth poured into canonical.

Or is the evilness of money dependent on the direction of travel?

Re: Ubuntu Will Now Have Amazon Ads

Ram — Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:11 pm

Author: Ram

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:11 pm

wyliecoyoteuk wrote:

I would see more of a problem if it was not possible to switch it off.
Android apps use advertising.
There is no need for "ethical" sneering at an attempt to pay for the development of a product, many open source projects are supported in a similar way. I suppose you don't use google, or view websites funded by their advertising, including this forum.

Android do but if you turn off your network they disappear.