Public bug reported: **Title**: Cannot disable Ubuntu Pro ESM advertisements in Ubuntu 24.04 despite multiple configuration attempts
**Description**: In Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS, the `apt upgrade` command displays an intrusive Ubuntu Pro ESM advertisement: Get more security updates through Ubuntu Pro with 'esm-apps' enabled: libzvbi-common libcjson1 libpostproc57 libavcodec60 libzvbi0t64 libavutil58 libswscale7 libswresample4 libavformat60 libavfilter9 Learn more about Ubuntu Pro at https://ubuntu.com/pro This message cannot be disabled despite extensive attempts, negatively impacting user experience by cluttering the `apt upgrade` output. **Steps tried**: - Set `sudo pro config set apt_news=false` (no effect). - Removed `ubuntu-advantage-tools` (confirmed not installed with `apt remove ubuntu-advantage-tools`). - Masked `ubuntu-advantage.service` (confirmed masked and inactive with `systemctl status ubuntu-advantage.service`). - Configured APT settings: - `/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20auto-upgrades` with: ``` APT::Periodic::Unattended-Upgrade "1"; APT::Periodic::Update-Package-Lists "1"; APT::Periodic::Enable "1"; APT::Periodic::Verbose "0"; ``` - `/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/99disable-esm-ads` with: ``` APT::Get::HideAutoUpdatesForESM "1"; Acquire::AllowInsecureRepositories "0"; APT::Get::Show-Versions "0"; APT::Get::Assume-Yes "1"; ``` - Temporarily disabled `noble-security` and `noble-updates` repositories in `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources` (no effect). - Cleared APT cache with `sudo rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*` (no effect). - Added APT preferences to block ESM packages in `/etc/apt/preferences.d/99disable-esm` with: Package: * Pin: release o=UbuntuESM Pin-Priority: -1 (no effect). **Expected behavior**: The ESM advertisement should be disableable via configuration (e.g., `apt_news=false`, APT preferences, or removing `ubuntu-advantage-tools`) without compromising access to critical repositories like `noble-security` and `noble-updates`. **Actual behavior**: The advertisement persists in `apt upgrade` output, even with all above measures applied, making it difficult to review legitimate package updates. **System details**: - Ubuntu version: Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS (noble) - APT version: apt 2.7.14 (amd64) - Kernel: 6.11.0-25-generic - Apport version: 2.28.1-0ubuntu3.5 **Impact**: The persistent advertisement clutters `apt upgrade` output, frustrates users who do not wish to use Ubuntu Pro, and lacks a supported method to disable it without affecting security updates. **Request**: Provide a supported method to disable ESM advertisements in `apt upgrade` output, or confirm if this is a bug in `apt` or related components (e.g., `unattended-upgrades`). Alternatively, clarify if this is an intentional design decision and suggest a non-invasive workaround. **Additional context**: - The issue is not related to a specific package crash or security vulnerability but appears to be a design flaw or bug in APT's handling of ESM metadata. - Similar complaints have been noted in other contexts (e.g., Software Updater showing greyed-out Ubuntu Pro updates, Launchpad bug #1992026). ** Affects: apt (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided Status: New ** Tags: apt esm ubuntu-pro ** Attachment added: "Output from sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade" https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2110353/+attachment/5876753/+files/APT%20esm%20marketing%20in%20apt%20update%20and%20upgrade.txt -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Touch seeded packages, which is subscribed to apt in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2110353 Title: Persistent Ubuntu Pro ESM advertisement in apt upgrade despite multiple disable attempts Status in apt package in Ubuntu: New Bug description: **Title**: Cannot disable Ubuntu Pro ESM advertisements in Ubuntu 24.04 despite multiple configuration attempts **Description**: In Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS, the `apt upgrade` command displays an intrusive Ubuntu Pro ESM advertisement: Get more security updates through Ubuntu Pro with 'esm-apps' enabled: libzvbi-common libcjson1 libpostproc57 libavcodec60 libzvbi0t64 libavutil58 libswscale7 libswresample4 libavformat60 libavfilter9 Learn more about Ubuntu Pro at https://ubuntu.com/pro This message cannot be disabled despite extensive attempts, negatively impacting user experience by cluttering the `apt upgrade` output. **Steps tried**: - Set `sudo pro config set apt_news=false` (no effect). - Removed `ubuntu-advantage-tools` (confirmed not installed with `apt remove ubuntu-advantage-tools`). - Masked `ubuntu-advantage.service` (confirmed masked and inactive with `systemctl status ubuntu-advantage.service`). - Configured APT settings: - `/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20auto-upgrades` with: ``` APT::Periodic::Unattended-Upgrade "1"; APT::Periodic::Update-Package-Lists "1"; APT::Periodic::Enable "1"; APT::Periodic::Verbose "0"; ``` - `/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/99disable-esm-ads` with: ``` APT::Get::HideAutoUpdatesForESM "1"; Acquire::AllowInsecureRepositories "0"; APT::Get::Show-Versions "0"; APT::Get::Assume-Yes "1"; ``` - Temporarily disabled `noble-security` and `noble-updates` repositories in `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources` (no effect). - Cleared APT cache with `sudo rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*` (no effect). - Added APT preferences to block ESM packages in `/etc/apt/preferences.d/99disable-esm` with: Package: * Pin: release o=UbuntuESM Pin-Priority: -1 (no effect). **Expected behavior**: The ESM advertisement should be disableable via configuration (e.g., `apt_news=false`, APT preferences, or removing `ubuntu-advantage-tools`) without compromising access to critical repositories like `noble-security` and `noble-updates`. **Actual behavior**: The advertisement persists in `apt upgrade` output, even with all above measures applied, making it difficult to review legitimate package updates. **System details**: - Ubuntu version: Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS (noble) - APT version: apt 2.7.14 (amd64) - Kernel: 6.11.0-25-generic - Apport version: 2.28.1-0ubuntu3.5 **Impact**: The persistent advertisement clutters `apt upgrade` output, frustrates users who do not wish to use Ubuntu Pro, and lacks a supported method to disable it without affecting security updates. **Request**: Provide a supported method to disable ESM advertisements in `apt upgrade` output, or confirm if this is a bug in `apt` or related components (e.g., `unattended-upgrades`). Alternatively, clarify if this is an intentional design decision and suggest a non-invasive workaround. **Additional context**: - The issue is not related to a specific package crash or security vulnerability but appears to be a design flaw or bug in APT's handling of ESM metadata. - Similar complaints have been noted in other contexts (e.g., Software Updater showing greyed-out Ubuntu Pro updates, Launchpad bug #1992026). To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apt/+bug/2110353/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages Post to : touch-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
