Ubuntu vs Debian.. because they are different distributions
They are different products assembled by different companies with different target customers and this results in different priority choices when developing the product.
I don't see how it is "going evil on Debian" that Canonical chooses different settings. That's why one forks a distribution, because they want to assemble it differently.
Debian is producing a server and system builder's product. Canonical is producing an end consumer and workstation product. Simple.
As for the search spyware.. It's Ubuntu.. "$ sudo aptitude purge badthingy", disable the feature or watch for a community patch. Also, this is about Ubuntu on phones which does not use Unity. For that though, we'll have to wait until community devs get to install and tinker with the firmware build. In terms of a mobile phone, I didn't see it do anything more sinister than your already allowing with Android/Iphone and browsers today.
What would be interesting though... Ubunto Phone forks.. maybe even a Debian Phone build including only what Ubunto Phone requires additionally. Just wait until the Hackers get at it and see what they can make it do (clarity; Hacker meaning the creative tinkerers not mass media miss-representation).
