Canonical wants users to update

With its policy of launching new distributions, Canonical guarantees support for some versions for an extended period of time. Known as LTS, these also end up coming to an end. Now, the creator of Ubuntu has gone public to ask everyone who uses Ubuntu 20.04 LTS to update their systems, as it is reaching the end of its life.

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is reaching end of life
A Canonical issued an alert to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS users. He revealed that any user still using this version should upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, which will be supported until 2029. For users who need to continue using this specific version of Ubuntu, there is also another option that will allow them to use it until April 2030.
The second option is "Expanded Security Maintenance" (ESM) and is available as part of the Ubuntu Pro subscription. While companies with many machines will need to pay, individual users who wish to activate ESM can do so within five machines following the instructions on the Ubuntu Advantage website. Companies also have the option to purchase the Legacy Support add-on, which extends support until April 2032.
It is important to note that "Expanded Security Maintenance" will follow the indicated expiration date. There won't be a repeat of what happened with Windows XP, where support continued to be extended because companies weren't ready to upgrade. For this reason, Canonical customers using Ubuntu should look to upgrade to the latest version as soon as possible.

Canonical asks to update to 24.04 LTS
In its statement, Canonical said that "it is crucial to plan your next steps. Running Ubuntu 20.04 without ESM would mean that you would no longer receive security updates after April 2025. Unpatched CVEs could expose your systems to security breaches." .
The company further added that "for those working in regulated industries, such as financial services, healthcare or telecommunications, timely application of security patches is essential to meet compliance standards. If you are using Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, It's time to consider the next step: upgrading to the latest Ubuntu LTS or getting ESM coverage through Ubuntu Pro until 2032."
Canonical provides instructions for updating Ubuntu Desktop or Ubuntu Serverrespectively. As the end-of-life deadline approaches in Q2 2024, we'll likely hear Canonical making new calls for everyone using its system to update it.