callhome what local AI tools send out by default, and the switch for each

the phone-home register

OpenVINO

What OpenVINO sends out of your computer by default, when, to whom, and the switch that stops it, version by version, with how we know.

The answer

By its source at 2026.4.0 and its telemetry page, not run: importing the openvino package sends an import event through Google Analytics (its collection host was not read), with more events when convert_model runs; running opt_in_out --opt_out once per account writes the consent file the library reads and stops it; Von's [intel] extra brings OpenVINO in.

on the research hub: Small open deciders, measured: a word counter kept up on our hardest question

Builds and versions

not installed: source read at tag 2026.4.0On by default?yes · read in code and in its own documentsMeasured here?no · read in codeDate checked (UTC)2026-10-10
Version
2026.4.0 · the source at tag 2026.4.0 (with openvino-telemetry 2025.2.0, which a fresh install brought in on 2026-10-01)
Where the evidence came from
not run: the source applies to every platform
On by default?
yes · read in code and in its own documents
Measured here?
no · read in code
Date checked (UTC)
2026-10-10
Why we say so
openvino's package start-up and its ovc tools' telemetry start read at tag 2026.4.0. The source at the tag; we did not check that the released wheel matches it.

Each call out

import report · 2026.4.0

Version · build
2026.4.0 · the source at tag 2026.4.0 (with openvino-telemetry 2025.2.0, which a fresh install brought in on 2026-10-01) · not run: the source applies to every platform · not installed: source read at tag 2026.4.0
Sends by default
yes · read in code and in its own documents
Kind
reports
Trigger
on its own
When
The code at 2026.4.0 sends an event when the package is imported, through Google Analytics (its collection host was not read); not run.
Where
third-party analytics
What it sends
an import event ('general_import') (usage); more events when convert_model runs (usage)
The vendor's stated purpose
“To facilitate debugging and further development, OpenVINO™ collects anonymous telemetry data.” — the OpenVINO 2026 documentation, 'OpenVINO™ Telemetry', read 2026-10-10
Grade and method
read · openvino's package start-up and its ovc tools' telemetry start read at tag 2026.4.0. The source at the tag; we did not check that the released wheel matches it. · read 2026-10-10
Receipts
importing openvino imports its model-conversion tools · the tools send the import event · the telemetry start, with no opt-in dialog · its telemetry page · our small open deciders measurement (research hub, 2026-09-30), 'What we did not measure' a house page; the receipts are above

The switch

opt_in_out --opt_out

Accepted values
run once
What it is
a command that writes a consent file
Where it must be set
once per account: it writes the consent file the library reads · turn them off
Other spellings
a file at intel/openvino_telemetry under your home folder holding 0
Proof
documented; not tested by us
For the call
import report · 2026.4.0

Listens beyond the machine, and other cloud features

Listens beyond the machine by default

  • n/a · a library (2026.4.0 the source at tag 2026.4.0 (with openvino-telemetry 2025.2.0, which a fresh install brought in on 2026-10-01))

Other cloud features

None found.

What it leaves on disk

Nothing we know of.

Brings in, and installed for you by

Installed for you by

Credit

Vendor documents it? · public discussion

Vendor documents it?

  • import report · 2026.4.0: yes · Its telemetry page says anonymous data is collected by default, through Google Analytics, and how to opt out. · docs.openvino.ai · telemetry.html · read 2026-10-10

Public discussion

History

No dated changes yet.

Not yet checked

Nothing named.