DO_NOT_TRACK: A Proposed Standard Environment Variable for CLI Telemetry Opt-Out

Summary

This article proposes a standardized environment variable called DO_NOT_TRACK for opting out of telemetry, analytics, and tracking in CLI and TUI applications. It highlights the problem that many CLI tools, SDKs, and frameworks collect telemetry data by default, each with its own unique opt-out method (e.g., DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT=1 for .NET). The proposed standard aims to simplify and unify the opt-out process across different tools, making it easier for users to maintain their privacy without having to remember tool-specific environment variables.