Intel’s latest beta drivers for GPUs now collect telemetry by default

The latest version of Intel’s Arc GPU drivers now collect telemetry by default. A ‘typical’ installation now installs the Compute Improvement Program by default; Previously this was not the case. The option can still be disabled manually.

Intel has implemented the change in version 101.4578 of its Arc Graphics Drivers, which is currently available in beta, noted TechPowerUp. In this release, Intel’s Compute Improvement Program is enabled by default as part of a ‘typical’ driver installation. Users can also do a custom installation and disable this option, which will stop telemetry collection.

Intel’s Compute Improvement Program collects data about PC usage and performance in the background. According to the CIP website from Intel, the program collects system information and data about how a PC is used, including memory and battery usage. The software also collects data about users’ “other devices in the computing environment” and the categories of websites users visit, but not the URLs themselves. Intel says it does not collect names, email addresses, phone numbers, “sensitive personal information” or the physical location of users. CIP users also cannot be identified, according to Intel.

Intel follows Nvidia with the change. That GPU maker has been installing telemetry as standard for some time now; This is not yet the case with AMD. AMD Radeon users will see a check mark after a driver installation or update that allows them to enable or disable ‘anonymous data collection’ regardless of the installation option they choose.

Intel’s driver installation and the data that CIP collects. Source: TechPowerUpIntel