Specifics About Java Usage Metrics
WHO Sends Information to Oracle?
We collect and send information under this program for Windows operating systems only. It may be sent for any users running Windows who download and/or install Java version 1.5.0_u8 or later. If the user does not have an Internet connection at the time of installation, installation data will not be returned to Oracle.
HOW Is Information Sent to Oracle?
Small encrypted XML messages are transported via a secure SSL connection over the Internet.
WHEN Is Information Sent to Oracle?
Information may be sent in one or more separate messages, depending on the transaction.
For Java automatic-update transactions, the following types of messages may be sent if users have their clients set to auto-update when there are new releases:
- When client detects a new version is available, an "update detected" message is sent.
- When user clicks the pop-up notification "balloon" to accept the new version, an "update available" message is sent.
- Once the installer is downloaded and launched, it will start to download more required files and send a "download initiated" message.
- Once all required files are downloaded, the installer sends the "download complete" message.
- Once the installation is complete, an "install complete" message is sent. If the user is offered "sponsor" software (such as third-party toolbar), a "sponsor complete" message may be sent in combination with the "install complete" message (i.e., only one message is sent at this step).
For users downloading the Java online installer (but not doing an automatic update), messages 3 through 5 (from above list) may be sent.
For users downloading the full "offline" Java installer, only message 5 is sent (and only if the user is online at time of installation).
WHAT Information is Sent to Oracle?
Some or all of the following information may be sent to Oracle depending on the type of transaction and the client system's configuration:
| Data Name | Value |
| State | Indicates which type of message this is (as described above), such as "update available" or "download complete." |
| Old Version | When installing a newer version of Java Runtime Environment on a system with a prior installation, this indicates which older version is installed. |
| New Version | The new Java Runtime Environment version being installed. |
| Installer Architecture | Indicates the architecture of the installer binary (e.g., i586, amd64). |
| User's Architecture | Indicates the architecture of the client system (e.g., i586, amd64). |
| User's Operating System | Version of Windows on client machine (e.g., WinXP, Win2003, Win98). |
| Method/Venue | There are various installation methods for Java as well as different sites to obtain the software. This indicates if it is an auto-update transaction, an "XPI" or MSIE auto-download from java.com, a manual download from sun.com, etc. |
| Country Code | The user's IP address will be resolved to user's country when possible, then returned in the form of a two letter country code. |
| Return Code | This numeric value indicates if the transaction was successful or not and may include error codes. |
| Sponsor Code | If the user is offered a "sponsor" offering, such as third-party toolbar, the corresponding sponsor code is sent. |
| Time | Time/date the message is sent. |
| IP Address | IP address is sent so the country code lookup can be performed for export compliance verification. IP address is not associated with any other data for reporting purposes. |
| TransactionID | A randomly generated 128-bit hex value is generated as a TransactionID which is needed to accurately capture transactions on our back-end system. The TransactionID is automatically deleted as part of the completion of the installation and is not used for future transactions. TransactionID is not associated with any other data for reporting purposes. |
| For automatic-update transactions only: | |
| Bubble Count | Counts the number of times the "update is available" pop-up appears on user's desktop before user clicks "OK." |
| Bubble Time | Elapsed time (in days) between when update available pop-up first appears and user clicks "OK." |
| Notification Policy | Indicates if the client preference is set to "notify before download" or "notify before install." |