Intel graphics drivers now collect telemetry by default

The latest version of Intel Arc GPU Graphics Software introduced an interesting change that isn't reflected in the Release Notes. The installer of the 101.4578 beta drivers add a Compute Improvement Program" (CIP) component as part of the typical" setup option that is enabled by default. Under the custom" installer option that you have to activate manually, you get to select which components to install. The Compute Improvement Program can be unchecked here, to ensure data collection is disabled. The benignly named CIP is a data collection component that tracks your PC usage and performance in the background (not just that of the GPU), so Intel can use the data to improve its future products. Intel created adedicated webpagethat spells out what CIP is, and what its scope of data collection is; where is says that CIP does not collect your name, email address, phone number, sensitive personal information, or physical location (except for country)."

NVIDIA's and AMD's drivers also contain telemetry collection software, and only AMD tries to be as transparent as possible about it by offering a check box during installation, whereas Intel and NVIDIA hide it behind the custom" option.

Needless to say, Linux users don't have to worry about this.