Gentoo, Spyware and Doubts

asma84 · n00b Joined: 24 Nov 2024 Posts: 7

Today, I found myself in significant need of assistance from the community. However, when I attempted to sign up, I received a message indicating that my email was not supported. This raises questions about why I am limited to using only Outlook, Gmail, or Yahoo. Additionally, I am concerned about the implications of Gentoo potentially selling user data, especially considering that it includes a substantial amount of binaries during installation. With the cancellation of stages 1 and 2, I am left with serious doubts about the integrity of some of the software, as I worry that it may contain spyware. It is perplexing to consider why a GNU-licensed project would adopt such an approach.

rab0171610 · Guru Joined: 24 Dec 2022 Posts: 469

Well it looks like you were able to use an acceptable email address and sign up after all. Problem solved.
If including a substantial amount of binaries is indicative of "selling user data" then by that logic every Linux distro, Windows, and Mac would be equally, if not more, suspect.
The move away from stage 1 and stage 2 happened some time ago. Things change, usually for the better. I doubt "GNU-licensed project" had anything to do with the move away from offering stage 1 and stage 2 installs.
If you are worried it may contain spyware, you should not use it.

asma84 · n00b Joined: 24 Nov 2024 Posts: 7

It pertains to Gentoo. It does not provide users with the freedom to select their preferences, which is certainly contrary to the principles of GNU. Rather than offering an explanation, you are exhibiting childish behavior. I am confident that Gentoo overlooked the terms of the license.

Concerning the account, it is not mine; it belongs to a colleague. [Please refer to the account creation date.] I have no intention of opening an account.

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2025 10:29 am Post subject:

asma84,

Welcome to Gentoo.

asma84 · n00b Joined: 24 Nov 2024 Posts: 7

Well, I am the real owner of the account. Since office hours are over, I can't say which mail client he uses, and I obviously don't want to call him for this question. However, I am 60% sure he may use Evolution, as he told me he loves GTK. The issue is not with stages 1 and 2; it's about registration. It's about user privacy and choice. He mentioned that Gentoo wants us to use non-private email services so they can spy on us and sell our data. I am merely a messenger for his speech, and I don't want to filter anyone's speech because it shouldn't be done. The account was never handed over. I told him to use the forum because he was not getting answers to his emails. I have delivered his words as they are, without any filtering. Therefore, I don't think it's illegal. I have read the policy regarding account handling. If the policy has changed, you can inform me and ban me. The answer to the first question will be delivered tomorrow at 04:00 AM UTC, as that is the time of office hours.

Hu · Administrator Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 23082

I have seen a variety of non-major e-mail services used for new accounts. He can use whatever mail client he wants. The forums neither know nor care how he gets his mail from his mail service provider onto his screen.

If the Gentoo project wanted to sell user data, harvesting non-private e-mail addresses seems like one of the least efficient ways to do it. Yes, his main e-mail address might be more secret if he doesn't share it with the forum, but anything he posts to the forum will be visible to everyone, no matter what e-mail address he uses on the account.

asma84 · n00b Joined: 24 Nov 2024 Posts: 7

Well, I think I should not reply to this without his statement. As far as I know, he was using his own domain, and it was rejected. However, emails with Outlook, Gmail, and Yahoo work fine. There are many internet services that only accept Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo, and they share data between each other, selling and misusing it. They accept money from google, microsoft. His concern is, why can't I use his domain?

I know the email client doesn't matter, but @NeddySeagoon is talking about Balsa and Thunderbird. I shared what I know.

pietinger · Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2025 2:58 pm Post subject:

Moderator note:

Our admin @NeddySeagoon has already determined that the account @asma84 is compromised.

Therefore, I now give the hint that the real owner should clarify this via e-mail to forum-mods@gentoo.org

This thread is now closed.
_________________
https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/User:Pietinger

Chiitoo · Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2025 3:21 pm Post subject:

I do not know of any list of unsupported e-mail domains we have. In fact, as of late, I've seen more 'gmail' registration fail than anything else.

Please advice the colleague to contact the Gentoo infra team

infra@gentoo.org

with

forum-mods@gentoo.org

in 'CC' on it.

As for the other concerns, no one is stopping from users to build starting from stage 1 if they so choose, or do what ever else they want with their Gentoo.

It's just not the official guided method. :]
_________________
Kindest of regardses.