[Bug 2110353] Re: Persistent Ubuntu Pro ESM advertisement in apt upgrade despite multiple disable attempts

[Julian Andres Klode]

** Package changed: apt (Ubuntu) => ubuntu-advantage-tools (Ubuntu)

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Title:
  Persistent Ubuntu Pro ESM advertisement in apt upgrade despite
  multiple disable attempts

Status in ubuntu-advantage-tools package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  **Title**:
  Cannot disable Ubuntu Pro ESM advertisements in Ubuntu 24.04 despite multiple configuration attempts

  **Description**:
  In Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS, the `apt upgrade` command displays an intrusive Ubuntu Pro ESM advertisement:

  Get more security updates through Ubuntu Pro with 'esm-apps' enabled:
    libzvbi-common libcjson1 libpostproc57 libavcodec60 libzvbi0t64 libavutil58
    libswscale7 libswresample4 libavformat60 libavfilter9
  Learn more about Ubuntu Pro at https://ubuntu.com/pro

  This message cannot be disabled despite extensive attempts, negatively
  impacting user experience by cluttering the `apt upgrade` output.

  **Steps tried**:
  - Set `sudo pro config set apt_news=false` (no effect).
  - Removed `ubuntu-advantage-tools` (confirmed not installed with `apt remove ubuntu-advantage-tools`).
  - Masked `ubuntu-advantage.service` (confirmed masked and inactive with `systemctl status ubuntu-advantage.service`).
  - Configured APT settings:
    - `/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20auto-upgrades` with:
      ```
      APT::Periodic::Unattended-Upgrade "1";
      APT::Periodic::Update-Package-Lists "1";
      APT::Periodic::Enable "1";
      APT::Periodic::Verbose "0";
      ```
    - `/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/99disable-esm-ads` with:
      ```
      APT::Get::HideAutoUpdatesForESM "1";
      Acquire::AllowInsecureRepositories "0";
      APT::Get::Show-Versions "0";
      APT::Get::Assume-Yes "1";
      ```
  - Temporarily disabled `noble-security` and `noble-updates` repositories in `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources` (no effect).
  - Cleared APT cache with `sudo rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*` (no effect).
  - Added APT preferences to block ESM packages in `/etc/apt/preferences.d/99disable-esm` with:

    Package: *
    Pin: release o=UbuntuESM
    Pin-Priority: -1

  (no effect).

  **Expected behavior**:
  The ESM advertisement should be disableable via configuration (e.g., `apt_news=false`, APT preferences, or removing `ubuntu-advantage-tools`) without compromising access to critical repositories like `noble-security` and `noble-updates`.

  **Actual behavior**:
  The advertisement persists in `apt upgrade` output, even with all above measures applied, making it difficult to review legitimate package updates.

  **System details**:
  - Ubuntu version: Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS (noble)
  - APT version: apt 2.7.14 (amd64)
  - Kernel: 6.11.0-25-generic
  - Apport version: 2.28.1-0ubuntu3.5

  **Impact**:
  The persistent advertisement clutters `apt upgrade` output, frustrates users who do not wish to use Ubuntu Pro, and lacks a supported method to disable it without affecting security updates.

  **Request**:
  Provide a supported method to disable ESM advertisements in `apt upgrade` output, or confirm if this is a bug in `apt` or related components (e.g., `unattended-upgrades`). Alternatively, clarify if this is an intentional design decision and suggest a non-invasive workaround.

  **Additional context**:
  - The issue is not related to a specific package crash or security vulnerability but appears to be a design flaw or bug in APT's handling of ESM metadata.
  - Similar complaints have been noted in other contexts (e.g., Software Updater showing greyed-out Ubuntu Pro updates, Launchpad bug #1992026).

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