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[Keyser Soze]

 

[Neuromancer]

I wonder if they'll also sell that data to their 'marketing partners.'

 

[Graphics Horse]

having numbers like that and whatever surely serve them for a purpose, an opt in survey is the way to do it. I see no issue with it, Valve has a history of trust and good service with its clients so im sure a few people took the survey, the fact that they decided to do so, and that its not required to HAVE Steam is what makes it ok.

This is completely different.

I'm not arguing that. I'm.. not arguing anything really, but it's strange they have stats on who has Microsoft Office installed, 3 times as many people as Internet Explorer weirdly.

 

[Winterblink]

From RPS (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/08/24/eas-origin-eula-proves-even-more-sinister):

The full clause reads,

2. Consent to Collection and Use of Data.

You agree that EA may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information that identifies your computer (including the Internet Protocol Address), operating system, Application usage (including but not limited to successful installation and/or removal), software, software usage and peripheral hardware, that may be gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, dynamically served content, product support and other services to you, including online services. EA may also use this information combined with personal information for marketing purposes and to improve our products and services. We may also share that data with our third party service providers in a form that does not personally identify you. IF YOU DO NOT WANT EA TO COLLECT, USE, STORE, TRANSMIT OR DISPLAY THE DATA DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, PLEASE DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THE APPLICATION. This and all other data provided to EA and/or collected by EA in connection with your installation and use of this Application is collected, used, stored and transmitted in accordance with EA’s Privacy Policy located at www.ea.com. To the extent that anything in this section conflicts with the terms of EA’s Privacy Policy, the terms of the Privacy Policy shall control.

Seems like a bit more than just programs. Not saying Steam's is perfect, but this seems a bit too broad (for my liking, at least).

 

[Vamphuntr]

I hope they will check the posts I made against their DA II. Maybe not since they will probably ban me from their service?

 

[Salsa]

It seems like people are trying their hardest to nitpick any issue they can with Origin

do you really think that's the SAME THING we are discussing here?


people are givin Origin a hard time because they're the new "players" on the field (eh.. not really)

people were ALL OVER Steam when it first came out, nobody liked it, but they earned people's trust and it gained a place in the industry.

EA's doing everything just plain wrong, and they deserve to be called out for it by us customers.

I'm not arguing that. I'm.. not arguing anything really, but it's strange they have stats on who has Microsoft Office installed, 3 times as many people as Internet Explorer weirdly.

oh i was just responding in general, not directly to you, sorry!

 

[JABEE]

I guess today's as good as any day to reveal the shady dealings of EA and GameStop.

 

[Hot Coldman]

Sounds more like EA's Origin IS spyware.

 

[Osietra]

But BF3 guys.

 

[Mama Robotnik]

7. USER GENERATED INFORMATION

"User Generated Information" means any information made available to other users through your use of multi-user features of Steam or to Valve through your use of the Software. User Generated Information may include, but is not limited to, chat, forum posts, screen names, game selections, player performances, usage data, suggestions about Valve products or services, and error notifications. Subject to the Valve privacy policy referenced in Section 1 above, as applicable, you expressly grant Valve the complete and irrevocable right to use, reproduce, modify, create derivative works from, distribute, transmit, broadcast, and otherwise communicate, and publicly display and perform the User Generated Information and derivative works thereof in any form, anywhere, with or without attribution to you, and without any notice or compensation to you of any kind.

It seems like people are trying their hardest to nitpick any issue they can with Origin

Isn't this data all part of the Steam program though, and relevant to its functionality. IE, how can Valve present your friends list without logging your username? What Valve needs is logical for their service to function.

What EA are asking for is right to browse your computer, gather your browsing habits and absorb this private information for ambiguous reasons. Which I find to be unacceptable.

 

[SneakyStephan]

i thought you have to take a survey in order for them to know

Yes you have to give steam permission to check your hardware.

 

[Tylahedras]

So master race, how does it feel to live in 1984?

 

[Keasar]

I was just about to buy Battlefield 3 on Origin after seeing what Gamestop were doing when I saw this news. I fucking hate this world. :/

 

[lupinko]

Don't use Origin

Problem solved.

This many times.

The new Alice doesn't have this Origin BS right? So if I buy that on Steam or on Retail (and redeem it on Steam I think), it's cool right?

 

[zephervack]

Isn't this data all part of the Steam program though, and relevant to its functionality. IE, how can Valve present your friends list without logging your username? What Valve needs is logical for their service to function.

What EA are asking for is right to browse your computer, gather your browsing habits and absorb this private information for ambiguous reasons. Which I find to be unacceptable.

Not that ambiguous, it clearly says in the EULA that they will use your data for Marketing and they WILL share it to third parties.

GG Origin.

 

[bloodydrake]

There's a real big difference between voluntarily opting into an anonymously hardware/software survey and a program that functionally is spyware that ties your user information to hardware id's and monitors all your computers use outside of their program as well as your internet usage...seriously.

Actually I'm pretty sure its illegal under Canadian Privacy laws to do this for any program.

 

[crimsonheadGCN]

This many times.

The new Alice doesn't have this Origin BS right? So if I buy that on Steam or on Retail (and redeem it on Steam I think), it's cool right?

The new Alice does not require Origin. Also, it does not register on Steam, but it should be registerable on Origin.

 

[zephervack]

So master race, how does it feel to live in 1984?

At least i dont get ads while using an online service paid for by the month.

 

[bengraven]

 

[mik83kuu]

It seems like people are trying their hardest to nitpick any issue they can with Origin

I don't mind Valve or EA following chat and forums for profanity, checking up on what hardware I use etc, but I sure don't want EA or anyone following up on what software I have installed and what websites I visit.

 

[Salsa]

But BF3 guys.

nail in the coffin. Gonna wait till they pull their head out of their asses before i buy that.

 

[Ponti]

So master race, how does it feel to live in 1984?

We have choice, and I choose not to use Origin.

 

[Mama Robotnik]

Not that ambiguous, it clearly says in the EULA that they will use your data for Marketing and they WILL share it to third parties.

GG Origin.

Ah, well that's even worse. I never want my data sharing with third parties and other companies no matter how "carefully selected" the small print often says they are.

EA's practice of bundling their software with Origin was already unacceptable when it was just a way for them to trojan their mediocre platform into the PC market. Now it comes with the express intention to farm your personal data and sell it to the highest bidder, it becomes repulsive.

 

[lupinko]

The new Alice does not require Origin. Also, it does not register on Steam, but it should be registerable on Origin.

I guess I'll buy the Steam version then.

 

[Deadstar]

Does anyone know if Origin only tracks websites when it's running? If the program is turned off surely it's not recording everything I'm doing right?

If it is I'm uninstalling it and never buying another game there. I really wanted BF3 but man....this is just going too far, even for me.

 

[DaBuddaDa]

This is quite the shitty news day; massive corporations pulling shady, unethical shit or pronouncing downright dumb policies left and right.

 

[Xamdou]

Can't seem to find a way to turn off auto startup of origin after starting windows.

 

[SturokBGD]

This is quite the shitty news day; massive corporations pulling shady, unethical shit or pronouncing downright dumb policies left and right.

For sure. This would be the perfect time to announce Half-Life 3. Save us, Based Gabe!

Can't seem to find a way to turn off auto startup of origin after starting windows.

Click on the Control Panel then "Add/Remove" programs. On Windows 7 it's called "Programs and Features".

 

[zephervack]

Does anyone know if Origin only tracks websites when it's running? If the program is turned off surely it's not recording everything I'm doing right?

If it is I'm uninstalling it and never buying another game there. I really wanted BF3 but man....this is just going too far, even for me.

As far as i know, no one has actually technically checked if the program does it at all right now, but the EULA has small print that allows them to do it whenever they please, they might be doing it right now, no one really knows.

 

[Salsa]

This is quite the shitty news day; massive corporations pulling shady, unethical shit or pronouncing downright dumb policies left and right.

this is great news. I want them to crash and burn like a motherfucker and i feel no remorse.

 

[mik83kuu]

Does anyone know if Origin only tracks websites when it's running? If the program is turned off surely it's not recording everything I'm doing right?

I have no idea, this is just speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised if it retroactively scanned for this information when launched again. For an example it could scan for cookies and browser history and just compare it to the last scan. Again, I'm just speculating and I have no idea how Origin does what ever it does. I would just assume a proper spyware would do this.

 

[zephervack]

Can't seem to find a way to turn off auto startup of origin after starting windows.

Start > Run> type "msconfig" and then Enter, startup tab

Can you find it there?

 

[Emitan]

Good thing I don't use this computer for porn then!

*writes virus to delete everything on every server EA owns*

 

[domlolz]

M$

lol

 

[-PXG-]

But BF3 guys.

 

[RPG]

Microsoft, I believe.

Correct, it's their stock symbol.

 

[Rufus]

Does anyone know if Origin only tracks websites when it's running? If the program is turned off surely it's not recording everything I'm doing right?

I assume that it checks your browser history on start-up or something along those lines.

 

[ShdwDrake]

Cancelling Origin BF3 preorder.

 

[DaBuddaDa]

this is great news. I want them to crash and burn like a motherfucker and i feel no remorse.

They will cancel each other out and become stronger because of it.

 

[mik83kuu]

Can't seem to find a way to turn off auto startup of origin after starting windows.

Start button -> Type "msconfig" in the search field. Look for anything origins or EA related under the 'Startup- tab and remove checkbox.

Edit: beaten

 

[Evlar]

Read this on RPS this morning. The GAF discussion mirrors the RPS comment threads: attempts to say 'Steam does it too', rebuttals about how Steam doesn't do this precisely, arguments about whether it's a big deal or a mole-hill mountain range, etc.

One game service that certainly does this is World of Warcraft. The WoW launcher will scan your computer's installed software and your RAM. The stated purpose is to detect and disable botware and other programs that interface with WoW in a malicious manner. I play WoW so I've already allowed that kind of intrusion in that particular circumstance.

I don't know whether the WoW EULA includes the language about sharing with third parties, though.

 

[DMczaf]

Ah, well that's even worse. I never want my data sharing with third parties and other companies no matter how "carefully selected" the small print often says they are.

You've been doing it the whole time.

By using Valve's online sites and products, users agree that Valve may collect aggregate information, individual information, and personally identifiable information, as defined below. Valve may share aggregate information and individual information with other parties. Valve shall not share personally identifiable information with other parties, except as described in the policy below.

"Aggregate information" is information that describes the habits, usage patterns, and demographics of users as a group but does not describe or reveal the identity of any particular user.

"Individual information" is information about a user that is presented in a form distinguishable from information relating to other users but not in a form that personally identifies any user or enables the recipient to communicate directly with any user unless agreed to by the user in advance of such communication. This information may be used to improve Valve's products and online sites, for internal marketing studies, or simply to collect demographic information about Valve's users.

 

[domlolz]

So master race, how does it feel to live in 1984?

lol

 

[Emitan]

Start > Run> type "msconfig" and then Enter, startup tab

Can you find it there?

I decided to use msconfig for the hell of it and realized Dragon Age Origins has a constant process checking for updates. WTF

 

[Salsa]

You've been doing it the whole time.

he's been doing it if he took the survey

otherwise, the info he's sharing has nothing to do with what software he has installed or what websites he's been too

stop trying to make this look like a regular thing; its not. Why dont you highlighted what comes right after that in your quote? :/

 

[Sapphire Dreams]

I'll endure, I need origin for Battlefield 3.

 

[alstein]

it's an opt in survey.

Ah, that's fine. The origin thing should be opt in also then.

 

[CharmingCharlie]

I remember a few years ago people were discussing DRM and some one said "ha what next when you buy a game ? will you have to have a bouncer standing right next to you whilst you play the game to ensure you aren't doing anything nefarious"....... hm all of a sudden it doesn't seem such a funny joke anymore.

This new stuff about Origin is big enough for me to say "no thank you". If that means I miss out on EA games then I miss out on EA games. The only EA game I was after was ME 3, I have to hope now that ME 3 doesn't use Origin because there is no way I am letting that shit anywhere on my PC.

 

[DMczaf]

he's been doing it if he took the survey

otherwise, the info he's sharing has nothing to do with what software he has installed or what websites he's been too

stop trying to make this look like a regular thing; its not.

That privacy policy is not just for accepting the survey, that's for using Valve products period. He said he didn't like any of his information being shared, but his information has been shared.

 

[YuriLowell]

okay you can see that I browse neogaf, porn, and play games.

WTF do want from me.