I hate to be one of those well-actually people, but...

Well actually I don't think this is FUD. It's not necessary to collect system specifications from every Ubuntu install in order to improve software. Even if Canonical isn't going to fingerprint users and track them it's not a good idea to collect data which can be later maybe sold and abused in that way.

Actually also I think it's Canonical that's "poisoning the well" here. Free Software isn't supposed to be about reporting back to the mothership. Canonical has no natural or other right to collect data about its users, and it shouldn't be behaving like a surveillance capitalist. Instead, it should be setting a better example of respect for users.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX0uci4gvHI&t=2847s