Does Ubuntu-based distro's have spyware?

Someone asked me this:

"Did the guys remove the spyware since it is based on Ubuntu or at least it was when I played with 12.04."

Is there an informed person who can perhaps explain the current status of Ubuntu-based distro's?

Here is what Richard Stallman thinks of it:

https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/ubuntu-spyware.html

Check out the post install guide and this bit "Unity privacy:":

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2054

You'll have to scroll down near the bottom I'm afraid as the hyper links don't work on this forum!.

Thanks a zillion, Wolfman!

But if you download Wolfman's guide in .pdf or .doc format, the hyperlinks work in that!

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7284

Thanks