Tails no longer recommending balenaEtcher

tails.net Tails - Replacing balenaEtcher with Rufus as installer for Windows

I am shocked by this - the quote in below is very concerning:

"However, in 2024, the situation changed: balenaEtcher started sharing the file name of the image and the model of the USB stick with the Balena company and possibly with third parties."

Can't see myself using this software anymore...

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Privacy Guides @lemmy.one Forumite @lemm.ee 9h ago

Tails has replaced balenaEtcher with Rufus in the Windows installation instructions to address privacy concerns

tails.net /news/rufus/index.en.html

81 3

Privacy @lemmy.dbzer0.com Otter @lemmy.ca 2d ago

Tails no longer recommending balenaEtcher

tails.net /news/rufus/index.en.html

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160 comments

I mean for privacy things it makes sense to avoid leaking anything. But I fail to understand where the danger is to have anonymous data that says a user installed "Ubuntu-24.04-wappity-whatever.iso" to "KINGSTON DATA TRAVELER 32GB" at some point.
- If anything that seems like worthwhile analytics for the dev team to have access to.
  
  Most software lets you opt out of sending anonymous analytics data though.
  
  They could just ask. "Please allow us to know what you flash and on what device so we can improve the software" yes, no, tell me more, show me the data
  
  Then I would have no problem using the SW, transparency is important to me
- It is a trap for people not knowing and government may use it as excuse to activate executive

160 comments