motd-news is part base-files so it cannot be removed from Ubuntu Desktop, Server or Core. if you need to report a bug use https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/base-files/+filebug
On my point of view, motd-news is a Telemetry tool hidden in a Message of the Day (MOTD) serving Ads for Canonical products (kubernetes, snap, lxd, etc.). On top of that it represents a risk of security and privacy because curl is launched as root and your IP and private information such as CPU model, CPU usage (idle time), uptime, Kernel version are transmitted without consent (and regardless of any kind of approval) to Canonical. https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/base-files/+bug/1867424 -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Touch seeded packages, which is subscribed to base-files in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1701068 Title: motd.ubuntu.com currently shows media item (HBO's Silicon Valley using Ubuntu) Status in base-files package in Ubuntu: Opinion Bug description: In Ubuntu 17.04 or newer, there is a script at /etc/update-motd.d/50 -motd-news that reads https://motd.ubuntu.com/ and displays that text with the rest of the MOTD. Currently, https://motd.ubuntu.com shows a news item about HBO's Silicon Valley which has a reference to Ubuntu. Instead, https://motd.ubuntu.com should show relevant items to those that use Ubuntu Server (relevant security issues, etc), instead of items for desktop users. ============================= Welcome to Ubuntu 17.04 (GNU/Linux 4.10.0-21-generic x86_64) * Documentation: https://help.ubuntu.com * Management: https://landscape.canonical.com * Support: https://ubuntu.com/advantage * How HBO's Silicon Valley built "Not Hotdog" with mobile TensorFlow, Keras & React Native on Ubuntu - https://ubu.one/HBOubu ============================== ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 17.04 Package: base-files 9.6ubuntu13 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.10.0-24.28-generic 4.10.15 Uname: Linux 4.10.0-24-generic x86_64 ApportVersion: 2.20.4-0ubuntu4 Architecture: amd64 Date: Wed Jun 28 12:31:24 2017 InstallationDate: Installed on 2017-05-02 (56 days ago) InstallationMedia: Xubuntu 17.04 "Zesty Zapus" - Release amd64 (20170412) ProcEnviron: TERM=xterm-256color PATH=(custom, no user) XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set> LANG=en_US.UTF-8 SHELL=/bin/bash SourcePackage: base-files UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/base-files/+bug/1701068/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages Post to : touch-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
