PSA: Intel Graphics Drivers Now Collect Telemetry (after Opt-In)

[chrcoluk]

Just a heads up: the Intel "Compute Improvement Program" (CIP) is also bundled in the Intel "Chipset INF Utility", a tool to auto update all your Intel drivers! No option to de-select present.

The data collection program is starting randomly and is eating quite some system resources, which could lead to lags in games. It is also sending out tons of data, which is quite bad if you're on a data cap. Luckily you can de-install the backpacked program in the Windows control panel, which you have to repeat each time when you update the tool.

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I have IME and some other intel software components installed plus smbus and one other to remove warning devices in device manager, but dont have this, so it means they may only add it in the basic chipset drivers package installer which are not needed anyway as they just rename devices. Just right click and install drivers via inf or integrate inf on to installation ISO.

 

[MarsM4N]

I have IME and some other intel software components installed plus smbus and one other to remove warning devices in device manager, but dont have this, so it means they may only add it in the basic chipset drivers package installer which are not needed anyway as they just rename devices. Just right click and install drivers via inf or integrate inf on to installation ISO.

Yes, that sounds pretty plausible. Just re-tested, was still on v10.1.18793.8276 with the Chipset-INF-Utility. Updated to v10.1.19444.8378 and didn't end up with the "Compute Improvement Program" (CIP) on my drive. But it didn't download any new drivers either. Also tried a repair install of the Intel® Driver & Support Assistant, still clean.

So the "Compute Improvement Program" (CIP) was very likely bundled in a driver package. Either in the chipset, graphics, WiFi or Bluetooth package.

 

[Squared]

So the article was updated today; it sounds like the interface guides you toward keeping it on but it's presented as a choice that you must accept or decline before installing, and then on updates, it keeps that choice or has a quieter option.

 

[john_]

It's pertinent to note here, that since the CIP agreement is presented right after the main Intel Software License Agreement, and since it is a visually similar screen, gamers in a hurry could be tricked into thinking that the CIP agreement is as obligatory as the SLA.

Not only that. What about pre build systems where the drivers are already installed and probably an employee decided for the customer?

The driver should NOT assume that the person accepting the first time the CIP agreement will be the same person using the computer.

 

[Tek-Check]

True, which is why I do not buy into the foolishness that AMD drivers are bad.

Hahaha, lovely.

 

[Ferrum Master]

GDPR dictates to by opt out by default actually...

Probably someone didn't look hard enough about the NVidia driver situation, and haven't proposed to sued them to death.

 

[syrup]

Not sure what's worse. Nvidia's quiet but supposedly limited collection with no toggle anymore, or Intel's which goes much further but is at least optional and explicit.

Anyone else old enough to remember when software "phoning home" at all was considered scandalous? That went away, but it was a grudging acceptance that kept pretty strong notions around minimising collection and providing user control. Nowadays there seems to be a slide into the opposite extreme, at least in jurisdictions where companies can get away with it.

 

[RamiHaidafy]

This article is a perfect example of how to admit you were wrong, but not apologize for it.

 

[lemonadesoda]

It’s time these phonehome telemetry servers got spam data filled into their sneaky repositories by a nice utility we could all run

And at a minimum, GPUZ could give us the phole/firewall filters to block the telemetry servers.

 

[Redwoodz]

This is why we can't have nice games anymore. Every component and every software all costantly monitoring your actions so they can derive some data to sell.

 

[mechtech]

If it’s gpu related crashes. Makes sense. Can’t rely on everyone to report everything themselves. As long as it’s transparent.

 

[W1zzard]

This article is a perfect example of how to admit you were wrong, but not apologize for it.

We were wrong and we're very sorry for it, of course, but eventually useful information came out of it. We now know the registry key, and the mechanics, and people are aware that they shouldn't click "accept" twice

 

[redeye]

i allowed the amd telemetry…
i dislike the dark force (intel), and abhor nvidia…
(how harmful can it be when the choices are not hidden at all, and you can not proceed until you decline or accept.)

AMD has two explicit choices, and you have to make one and it is not hidden. it is one line or the other. not yes or no, but two distinct choices. instead of Microsoft… skip/decline/“ask me later”

 

[MarsM4N]

It’s time these phonehome telemetry servers got spam data filled into their sneaky repositories by a nice utility we could all run

And at a minimum, GPUZ could give us the phole/firewall filters to block the telemetry servers.

Yea, if you could feed them totally wrong telemetry you could create quite some confusion at Intel. Could even lead to them programming crap drivers. Nvidia and AMD should look into it, lol.

This is why we can't have nice games anymore. Every component and every software all costantly monitoring your actions so they can derive some data to sell.

At least you still can de-install it. But them tricking you into installing it in the first place is super shady. Tells a lot about the company.

 

[DarkDreams]

This is similar to how some freeware programs include opt-ins for third-party software as part of the installer that they are tied up with (eg: anti-virus utilities included with Adobe Reader). So far, AMD's handling of this telemetry opt-in with the user comes across as the least stealthy or cloak-and-dagger. You're presented with a big, centrally-located checkbox to decide if you want AMD to collect data, at the completion of the driver installation. This way you know that your drivers are installed, and that the data-collection tool is truly optional.

@btarunr The last paragraph switches to AMD instead of Intel. A typo I assume?

 

[W1zzard]

@btarunr The last paragraph switches to AMD instead of Intel. A typo I assume?

AMD shows their telemetry screen at the end of the installation, which makes it very obvious that it is optional, because the driver is already installed at this point. Also much more unlikely to affect next-next-next-clickers. we will reword that section

 

[zxcvzxcv3223]

Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Intel\SUR\ICIP I have REG_DWORD "Consent" with value 1, and under ICIP_RUN there's REG_DWORD "Run" with value 1.

To be me those sounds I have opted-in but I dont have that "Intel Computing Improvement Program" installed.

Could some please confirm which are the correct values for opting out of that shit?

 

[Wye]

Aren't you late to the telemetry outrage?
Everyone and their grandpa are collecting telemetry for the last 3 decades.

 

[MarsM4N]

Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Intel\SUR\ICIP I have REG_DWORD "Consent" with value 1, and under ICIP_RUN there's REG_DWORD "Run" with value 1.

To be me those sounds I have opted-in but I dont have that "Intel Computing Improvement Program" installed.

Could some please confirm which are the correct values for opting out of that shit?

(Not an expert) but "1" usually means enabled & "0" disabled. Just click on "Consent" and change the 1 to 0. "ICIP_RUN" is not in my registry, but I would change it also to 0.

Also check in your "Programs" manager if the "Intel(R) Compute Improvement Program" is installed. If it is uninstall it.