What is the Zeitgeist Service?
In Ubuntu (specifically older versions utilizing the Unity desktop, or those with GNOME extensions installed that replicate the feature), zeitgeist is a background service known as the “Activity Journal.” Its sole purpose is to silently monitor and log every single file you open, website you visit, and application you launch.
It uses this massive database to power the “Recent” files search in your dash and suggest applications. However, this constant background tracking consumes CPU cycles, writes continuously to your hard drive, and raises significant privacy concerns for many users. You can completely stop Zeitgeist from logging your activity.
How to Stop Zeitgeist from Tracking Your Files
To ensure Zeitgeist stops running completely and permanently, you can mask the service using systemd.
- Open your Ubuntu Terminal (shortcut:
Ctrl + Alt + T). - First, stop the currently running instance of the service:
systemctl --user stop zeitgeist.service
systemctl --user stop zeitgeist-fts.service- Next, to prevent it from ever starting again on boot, mask the services:
systemctl --user mask zeitgeist.service
systemctl --user mask zeitgeist-fts.service(Masking is stronger than disabling; it symlinks the service to /dev/null, making it completely impossible for another application to accidentally wake it up).
- (Optional) Delete the existing database:
If you want to purge all the historical data Zeitgeist has already collected about your file usage, delete its hidden database folder:
rm -rf ~/.local/share/zeitgeist/By masking the service, your Ubuntu system will no longer maintain a surveillance log of every file you touch, improving both privacy and system performance.