[Bug]: Remove Telemetry due to app's privacy policy

[kartikaykaushik14]

Summary

Telemetry is often used to monitor the performance of applications, track usage patterns, and gather other data that can help developers improve their products. This data can be used to identify and diagnose issues, track trends, and make informed decisions about product development. However, due to the app's privacy, we would want to remove Telemetry from the app.

The issue is created as advised in this comment.

Steps to reproduce

1. Have the app open
2. Go to More
3. Go to settings
4. Under the Privacy section, see Mapbox Telemetry

Expected behaviour

There should be no trace of telemetry in the code and app.

Actual behaviour

As of now, the users have an option to opt-in or out of telemetry but we want it to be removed. Currently, there are traces of telemetry in the code.

Device name

Pixel 6

Android version

Android 33

Commons app version

4.0.3

Device logs

No response

Screen-shots

No response

Would you like to work on the issue?

Yes

[kartikaykaushik14]

@nicolas-raoul Could you please assign this issue to me?

[kartikaykaushik14]

@nicolas-raoul Could you please review the code changes?

[sivaraam]

I too wish we had the liberty to completely disable telemetry but AFAIK we need to provide the same due to requirements by Mapbox [ref]:

Additionally, you must provide a telemetry opt-out option elsewhere in your application if you choose not to use the built-in information button.

See also: #3946 (comment)

So, we might need to revisit this issue.

[nicolas-raoul]

I would argue that we comply with this documentation, as simply installing the app already opts the user out of telemetry. My understanding is of this rule's spirit is that users should not be forced to send telemetry if they do not want to.

@kartikaykaushik14 Do you know MapLibre's stance on this? Would switching to MapLibre (or another equivalent) avoid the telemetry question entirely?

[kartikaykaushik14]

MapLibre seems to have removed telemetry entirely.
Sources - Link 1, Link 2, Link 3

[sivaraam]

I would argue that we comply with this documentation, as simply installing the app already opts the user out of telemetry. My understanding is of this rule's spirit is that users should not be forced to send telemetry if they do not want to.

Indeed. My concern is we're not even giving the option to opt-in if at all someone wants to do that. We're just disabling it ourselves for all our users.

MapLibre seems to have removed telemetry entirely. Sources - Link 1, Link 2, Link 3

That's wonderful! If switching to it is a feasible thing and suits us well, I'm all for it 👍🏼
We could settle this long standing dilemma once and for all :-)

[kartikaykaushik14]

@nicolas-raoul Can we please close this issue since we resolved it in #5182?

[nicolas-raoul]

Yes, thanks!