> I also don't recall ever having to proactively prevent the mass collection of "telemetry" data when installing Mac OS.
To be fair, it will ask you once at profile creation if you agree to sending telemetry. To the best of my knowledge though, Apple respects the choice and does not reset it quietly like Windows does.
You'll see at the very bottom a Customize Settings button that is nearly invisible. It's located on the left side, shaded in a color that is different from the other buttons and the text size is substantially smaller than the standard button text size.
The majority of users will have missed this and just clicked on the Use Express Settings button.
Let's have a look at what is turned on by default:
Personalization
1. Personalize your speech, inkling input and typing by sending contacts and calendar details, along with other associated input data to Microsoft.
2. Send typing and input data to Microsoft to improve the recognition and suggestion platform.
3. Let apps use your advertising ID for experience across apps.
4. Let Skype (if installed) help you connect with friends in your address book and verify your mobile number. SMS and data charges may apply.
Location
1. Turn on Find My Device and let Windows and apps request your location, including location history and send Microsoft and trusted partners location data to improve location services.
Connectivity and error reporting
1. Automatically connect to suggested open hotspots. Not all networks are secure.
2. Automatically connect to networks shared by your contacts.
3. Automatically connect to hotspots temporarily to see if paid Wi-Fi services are available.
4. Send full error and diagnostic information to Microsoft.
Browser, protection, and update
1. User SmartScreen online services to help protect against malicious content and downloads in sites loaded by Windows browsers and Store apps.
2. User page prediction to improve reading, speed up browsing, and make your overall experience better in Windows browsers. Your browsing data will be sent to Microsoft.
3. Get updates from and send update to others PCs on the Internet to speed up app and Windows update downloads.
To be fair, it will ask you once at profile creation if you agree to sending telemetry. To the best of my knowledge though, Apple respects the choice and does not reset it quietly like Windows does.