Why You Can’t Currently Download Ubuntu 23.10 – Tipsbeginners

Confused why you can’t currently download Ubuntu 23.10, despite the fact it’s been released (and blogs like mine are telling you it’s out)?

There’s a reason for it — and it’s not because we got the release date wrong!

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Ubuntu explains the situation:

We have identified hate speech from a malicious contributor in some of our translations submitted as part of a third party tool outside of the Ubuntu Archive. The Ubuntu 23.10 image has been taken down and a new version will be available once the correct translations have been restored.

A nefarious ne’er do well somehow slipped a slew of unsavoury sentences into Ubuntu under the radar, and had them shipped on the default ISO.

The offensive translations only affect the new Ubuntu installer, and only appeared in a specific set of the UI when being used in a specific language. The translations are being scrubbed from existence, correct translations added, and an updated ISO prepared for release.

Until a new image is ready, the affected Ubuntu 23.10 desktop ISO has been removed, along with ISOs of Ubuntu Budgie 23.10 and Ubuntu daily builds (those are, AFAIK, the ones that use the new installer, the rest use Ubiquity or Calameres).

Now, I’m not 100% certain but having taken a look at the Ubuntu Desktop Installer repo on GitHub — I know, I’m nosey — it appears to have been (sadly, but perhaps predictably) the Ukrainian translation file that got hijacked. I ran its text through a translator and …Honestly, I wish I hadn’t.

75% of the file is normal but then there’s a barrage of unsubtle, offensive sentences relating to politics, sexuality, and current events. The text is crude, provocative, and highly inflammatory – we’re not talking nuanced, fringe opinions here.

Anyway, figured I’d pass the news along just incase you’re wondering where the ISO is gone.