The new and updated data-sharing options will be released in the next couple of weeks with the upcoming 2025.2.4 update of JetBrains IDEs. Non-commercial users will get a notification about the updates in the terms of use. For holders of other types of licenses, if you never provided consent, nothing will change.
Boiled down , it basically makes their free versions be spyware about any code. But anyone can opt out. But few will know what is going on.
I am a subscriber so it will not affect me.
Is this a bad thing? I think Yes and no. Most coding entered into the free versions is not significant enough to give consequences. Morally, I find it offensive and later could be opted in myself without knowing. That would be a big deal for me.
Most people will never notice.
It does remind me of the saying: if something is free, you are the product.
I’d love to hear how that applies to community Linux distros.
I thought about that after I typed it. “Should I put in a disclaimer that this is limited to for-profit” companies? Nahhh, it will be fine”