[META] How to block Plex Statistics Collection

omni461 | 57 points | Aug 19 2017 04:54:48

[META] How to block Plex Statistics Collection | Megalinks MegaDB [META] How to block Plex Statistics Collection

In the next Plex update, the devs "will no longer allow the option to opt out of this statistics collection". If this bothers you, you can modify your "/etc/hosts" by adding "0.0.0.0 metrics.plex.tv" to the end of your host file.

If you don't know how to do this click here for mac and windows.

If this doesn't bother you, then carry on.

[-] Axelstrife | 12 points | Aug 19 2017 05:44:26

Thanks for posting but for me as long as they are not collecting file names which would clearly show pirated shit then i don't care really.

[-] is_it_fun | 9 points | Aug 19 2017 06:54:46

They could collect random file hashes and it would do the same thing.

[-] MathTheUsername | 6 points | Aug 19 2017 09:11:55

But they're not. Read the update.

[-] is_it_fun | 2 points | Aug 19 2017 13:09:50

Ah ok.

[-] smolderas | -4 points | Aug 19 2017 09:22:40

So they say...

[-] MathTheUsername | 9 points | Aug 19 2017 09:26:25

lol ok buddy. May as well throw out your computer entirely.

[-] _Stealth_ | 3 points | Aug 19 2017 12:49:34

i'm sure they are well aware that their platform is 95% used for pirated shit.

It would be silly to think otherwise.

[-] frylock364 | 6 points | Aug 19 2017 08:08:49

I suggest everyone READ the ACTUAL policy

THIS WILL NOT LET PLEX KNOW WHATS ON YOUR SERVER

(If Plex ever did this they would be out of business and they know this)

The only exception would be if you use you use Plex with third-party services such as Sonos, Alexa, webhooks, and Last.fm.

https://www.plex.tv/about/privacy-policy-update/

https://www.plex.tv/about/privacy-policy-update-notice/

[-] montr2229 | 4 points | Aug 19 2017 05:03:23

I've only recently learned of Plex Would you mind explaining this a bit more. What are they recording, and what do they do with it

[-] MaoLuvo | 6 points | Aug 19 2017 05:10:12

Plex will continue to collect usage statistics, such as device type, duration, bit rate, media format, resolution, and media type (music, photos, videos, etc.).We will no longer allow the option to opt out of this statistics collection.

A lot of people are upset about their privacy changes and people are mad they can't opt out of their statistics collecting.

[-] omni461 | 4 points | Aug 19 2017 05:09:19

There is an active discussion on this very topic here;www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/6ukwc6/privacy_policy_update_notice/

tl;dr Some ppl pay for a plex pass, and they feel that they will be turned into the product instead of being consumers. Other people don't want a record of what files are available on their servers. They like their privacy.

[-] montr2229 | 2 points | Aug 19 2017 05:17:23

Ahh, ok. I can see how people might not want people to know what they have in their personal servers. Thanks

[-] frylock364 | 6 points | Aug 19 2017 08:09:25

But this wont let plex know whats on your server, that is just a lie.

[-] hottycat | 3 points | Aug 19 2017 19:09:07

It kinda annoys me that it seems like the people really don't care about their privacy in this thread.

First of all people should know what kind of data is really send and even it is just file hashes, data can always misused or at least used in a way that is not favorable for the user. I do not like the idea of file hashes because all they need to do is to compare those hashes of pirated movies to get the content.

Secondly, and that is for me more important, forcing user to share data without giving a choice (not even Opt-Out) is a big no. As a consumer and user I should always strife to get a choice so that I can decide what I want to do with MY data, no company or product has the right to that for me (even if it is free).

As such I recommend either blocking the server in the firewall or as OP described in the host file. Or as a more drastic choice switch to another product.

[-] LuciferIAm | 2 points | Aug 19 2017 10:23:08

I just use http://www.universalmediaserver.com/ instead personally

[-] HeWhoMustNotBDpicted | 1 points | Aug 19 2017 16:14:20

I've been needing to set up a new media server and assumed I would use Plex, but I have no experience with Plex. I've been using ~~XBMC~~ Kodi.

UMS looks intriguing. Have you used Plex also? Any pros/cons you could share between them?

edit:

Since Plex does the format conversion (transcoding?) at the server, while Kodi does not, and my goal is to share my local content across devices, my understanding is that something like Plex would be better for me. What I don't know is whether UMS is a format converting server like Plex.

[-] LuciferIAm | 2 points | Aug 19 2017 17:33:15

Think I tried it 5+ years ago. Maybe mixture of not working + didn't like. UMS is as easy as choosing a folder on your computer and most will detect. It also can play everything. I also like using not-a-company and open source

[-] ishadow2013 | 0 points | Aug 20 2017 13:21:55

kodi's UPnP work's amazing. Literally, plug and play.

[-] reptarwilleatu | 1 points | Aug 20 2017 14:23:26

UPnP is disgusting

[-] ajshell1 | 1 points | Aug 19 2017 13:22:30

RemindMe! 2 days

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[-] a986fan | 1 points | Aug 20 2017 15:04:25

Thanks OP. Host file edited.

[-] omni461 | 1 points | Aug 21 2017 21:28:30

UPDATE: Plex New Privacy Policy Update (including Opt out of Playback Data) https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/6usv65/plex_new_privacy_policy_update_including_opt_out/

[-] randomfa933 | 0 points | Aug 19 2017 08:31:36

is there a way to do this on my router or through my server? i'm using the plex docker for unRAID.

[-] Adr990 | 1 points | Aug 20 2017 22:30:22

I just set it up on UnRaid myself.

Get Community Apps Userscripts: (from Community Apps plugin if you have that installed) https://forums.lime-technology.com/topic/48286-plugin-ca-user-scripts/

Then go Settings > User Scripts, and hit Add New Script.

Edit the "script" file that it created inside the shown folder path. (SFTP/SSH)

And paste this script into it:

#!/bin/bash
#description=Add to hosts file
printf "\n0.0.0.0 metrics.plex.tv\n"  >> /etc/hosts

Now select "At Startup of Array" (or whatever you'd like) from the dropdownmenu next to it and hit Apply.

Edit:

The reason you basically have to do it like this is because the /etc/hosts file can be updated by UnRaid itself, so to be safe, add it afterwards.

And yes, it could be done through the /boot/go script, but that doesn't seem to always kick off correctly or something.