How can I disable the 'Recent Documents' menu?

I found one solution (assuming you're using Gnome)
#Empty the list of recently used documents
echo "" > ~/.recently-used

#Make the file read-only,
#Such that Gnome can't actually add new 'recently used documents' to the file.
sudo chmod 400 ~/.recently-used

Note, i have no idea whether or not the file ".recently-used" exists in Trisquel version of Gnome.
But you can check whether or not it does by,
ls -a ~/ | grep recently-used

source: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=91154

For GNOME Shell's users, there exists this extension to have a drop-down menu with the recent files and a button to clear it.

I just added "Privacy" from the software add/remove menu. It's the same thing as in Ubuntu.

via ADD/REMOVE applications: search for "Privacy"

Those using Gnome and/or any of the Ubuntu-based distros should learn about zeitgeist, apport, scopes, lens, geoglue, whoopsie, and the uses of Gnome Activity Journal. Surely, Trisquel has removed these? :-)

As Spinoza said, installing the missing “Privacy” app is a good first step: http://ubuntugenius.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/ubuntu-12-04-upgrade-fix-missing-privacy-app-in-system-settings/

What is Whoopsie?
http://askubuntu.com/questions/135540/what-is-the-whoopsie-process-and-how-can-i-remove-it

Purpose of Zeitgeist and Gnome Activity Journal:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitgeist_%28framework%29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME_Activity_Journal

Apport and crash report info sent to Canonical:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Apport

** Canonical may change this legal notice from time to time, and at Canonical's sole discretion. Please check this page from time to time for any changes to this legal notice as we will not be able to notify you directly. **

Your computer and all the data belongs to you, so stay safe and share whatever info you choose to share. BTW, do you use social networks?
http://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/security-awareness/oversharing-marc-quibell/

Do good things!