diff --git a/.vscode/launch.json b/.vscode/launch.json
index 187117df..ee1945b7 100644
--- a/.vscode/launch.json
+++ b/.vscode/launch.json
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
             "sourceMaps": true,
             "smartStep": true,
             "outFiles": [ "${workspaceFolder}/dist/**/*.js" ],
-            "preLaunchTask": "npm: watch",
+            "preLaunchTask": "npm: webpack",
             "trace": true
         }
     ]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 97370b0d..1a26505b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -683,7 +683,7 @@ exchange | Preview the whole HTTP exchange(request and response)
 * `rest-client.showResponseInDifferentTab`: Show response in different tab. (Default is __false__)
 * `rest-client.requestNameAsResponseTabTitle`: Show request name as the response tab title. Only valid when using html view, if no request name is specified defaults to "Response". (Default is __false__)
 * `rest-client.rememberCookiesForSubsequentRequests`: Save cookies from `Set-Cookie` header in response and use for subsequent requests. (Default is __true__)
-* `rest-client.enableTelemetry`: Send out anonymous usage data. (Default is __true__)
+* `rest-client.enableTelemetry`: Send out anonymous usage data. (Default is __false__)
 * `rest-client.excludeHostsForProxy`: Excluded hosts when using proxy settings. (Default is __[]__)
 * `rest-client.fontSize`: Controls the font size in pixels used in the response preview. (Default is __13__)
 * `rest-client.fontFamily`: Controls the font family used in the response preview. (Default is __Menlo, Monaco, Consolas, "Droid Sans Mono", "Courier New", monospace, "Droid Sans Fallback"__)
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index f8b7ae0a..98fb109e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@
         },
         "rest-client.enableTelemetry": {
           "type": "boolean",
-          "default": true,
+          "default": false,
           "scope": "resource",
           "description": "Send out anonymous usage data"
         },
diff --git a/src/models/configurationSettings.ts b/src/models/configurationSettings.ts
index 1f4a817e..97253567 100644
--- a/src/models/configurationSettings.ts
+++ b/src/models/configurationSettings.ts
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ export class SystemSettings implements IRestClientSettings {
         this._largeResponseBodySizeLimitInMB = restClientSettings.get<number>("largeResponseBodySizeLimitInMB", 5);
         this._previewOption = ParsePreviewOptionStr(restClientSettings.get<string>("previewOption", "full"));
         this._formParamEncodingStrategy = ParseFormParamEncodingStr(restClientSettings.get<string>("formParamEncodingStrategy", "automatic"));
-        this._enableTelemetry = restClientSettings.get<boolean>('enableTelemetry', true);
+        this._enableTelemetry = restClientSettings.get<boolean>('enableTelemetry', false);
         this._suppressResponseBodyContentTypeValidationWarning = restClientSettings.get('suppressResponseBodyContentTypeValidationWarning', false);
         this._addRequestBodyLineIndentationAroundBrackets = restClientSettings.get<boolean>('addRequestBodyLineIndentationAroundBrackets', true);
         this._decodeEscapedUnicodeCharacters = restClientSettings.get<boolean>('decodeEscapedUnicodeCharacters', false);