Don't use Ubuntu then. Use a libre distro, as Trisquel.

I would like to but Debian/Ubuntu’s method of packing kernel image into a dpkg is very convenient. Especially with symbols, I have a custom kernel module that uses kprobes (may not be necessary anymore with newer frameworks like bpftrace) to instrument and trace my system.

Trisquel is basically Ubuntu LTS with the non-free (as in FSF freedom) bits removed. So, the helpers are still there.

The Amazon deal was probably the writing on the wall as to where Canonical is heading with Ubuntu in the longer term. People need to stop using it in favor of better distros.

You can subscribe to Ubuntu Pro:

https://ubuntu.com/pricing/pro

TANSTAAFL

>now even Ubuntu includes ads when invoking apt

Not saying this is wrong but I haven't encountered any ads when I use Ubuntu on WSL2 through a terminal. Does it happen only in the "proper" desktop version? What do the ads look like?

AFAIK it's just a blurb telling you that you can get Ubuntu Pro. Not exactly a real ad; it's just that some people don't like the fact that Ubuntu can advertise its services in its distro.

Largely what Windows advertises is Microsoft stuff.

Ubuntu copies a lot of terrible ideas from Microsoft and this is just another one.

I just had to disable this on a machine earlier today. They list all the packages you have that could receive additional security patches through Ubuntu Pro. I'd much rather see 'All packages are up to date.'