(request-package-removal)

How to request a package removal

Note

This page will be moved to:

  • Contributors -> Advanced

Note

Content from: The Package Archive -> package-removals https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuDevelopment/PackageArchive#Removing_Packages

Packages that are removed from Debian are semi-automatically removed from Ubuntu universe on a regular basis by the administrators. However, packages are not removed from Ubuntu main without an explicit request, and nor are packages which originated elsewhere. To request removal of such a package, file a bug against the package.

The bug must have the following elements:

  • The release to remove it from (e.g., noble)

  • Whether to remove: the source package, all binary packages, or both

  • A rationale for why they should be removed

  • Confirmation that the binary packages have no rdepends (no other package depends on them)

    • There is checkrdepends in ubuntu-archive-tools, but it needs a mirror to work with

    • There is reverse-depends and reverse-depends -b (build depends) in ubuntu-dev-tools, but it can return false positives for alternative dependencies

If you are not an Ubuntu developer use the Sponsorship process. If you are an Ubuntu developer then subscribe the ubuntu-archive team to the bugs. If you need help deciding whether a package ought to be removed, please discuss on the ubuntu-devel mailing list rather than asking the Archive Administrators.

Refer to https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/<source package> for the reason of the removal of a specific package.