This is entirely false. Debian not only doesn't do this, it patches out such tomfoolery in anything they distribute.
It's a recent trend, but it's nowhere near ubiquitous, and it's still a major violation of consent to exfiltrate a user's data without asking, even if every piece of software in the world did it (as you erroneously claimed).
When software spies on you without permission, there's a name for that type of software.
Pointing out Debian as your counter example is so silly.
Yes, HackerNews community member, but we’re talking about software in aggregate amongst products people out in the world use not just your favorite Linux distros.
Analytics are very common now, carry no malice, and are not spyware.
The term has implications that aren’t satisfied here but hey, it’s HN and YOLO. Everything is spyware everyone should use Debian, eat Arby’s etc
It isn't a fact, because you keep saying that. It's reasonable to ask what constitutes spyware, and categorize analytics either in or out of that category.
In any reasonable definition of spyware (it spies on you to the creator's benefit and not yours) then analytics goes in that category.
Try to give comments the most generous interpretation. That's what silly HackerNews community members agree to in the rules.
Nor are your assertions facts because you keep repeating them.
It appears we are at an impasse.
In the meantime, I and the vast majority of people will carry on using Homebrew without labeling it as loaded with “spyware” - whether you agree with it or not.
Remove the tinfoil hat, dude.