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[Ponti]

You've been doing it the whole time.

You should've bolded the sentence afterwards too. EA shares the personal information it collects, Valve does not.

 

[zephervack]

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

lol constantly slowing down your internet and computer for no reason at all

 

[Barrett2]

Aren't we kind of past this?

lol

 

[Mr Nightman]

honestly for me, I will still buy bf3, least origin isn't as bad as gfwl, really doesn't bother me having to use it

 

[Branduil]

Origin sure keeps getting more awesome.

And by awesome I mean it has no chance of getting installed on my computer.

 

[Persona7]

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

Every google program does the same thing.

 

[Rapstah]

So now they can finally confirm that I look at porn and hate Dragon Age 2.

OriginBot_GAF.exe: terminal error at 0x55672355ffy!
Impossible combination of parameters. User Stahsky.boolLikesPornAndDa2 stuck in infinite loop! Please redefine to functioning combination. For further support, contact your system administrator.

 

[Winterblink]

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

According to the EULA, the opt-in is having it installed. lol

 

[Salsa]

That privacy policy is not just for accepting the survey, that's for using Valve products period.

from your quote:

"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.

this is part of the Steam program, this is stuff that is taken for granted for steam to work like it does. For it to be able to register you on a friend list and whatnot. Its NOT about personal information, and it does not SHARE that.

Compare it to what Origin says:

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.

does that sound like the same thing to you?

 

[zephervack]

Every google program does the same thing.

Im sure google's software needs updates way more frequently than an old game. Still, software should check for updated everytime you run said software, not when you turn on your computer

 

[DietRob]

It was fun playing the Alpha on PC, however, as someone who primarily games on the PS3, EA has ensured I will not be double dipping for BF3.

*Uninstalls Orgin

edit, also:

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

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 hate that people forget that. Until a few years ago Steam was shit and I absolutely hated it.

 

[Snuggles]

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

WTF do want from me.

Our friends at EA will see what kind of porn you browse, and will use that information to specifically target your fetishes in the next Bioware game.

 

[FieryBalrog]

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

Yup. It's like most people here have not read the Steam Subscriber Agreement and/or heard of VAC.

People pick out information to confirm their predispositions and tend to ignore stuff that would go against that.

 

[DMczaf]

from your quote:



this is part of the Steam program, this is stuff that is taken for granted for steam to work like it does. For it to be able to register you on a friend list and whatnot.

Compare it to what Origin says:



does that sound like the same thing to you?

I'm replying to Mama Robotnik. He said he doesn't want any of his information shared no matter how "carefully selected the fine print says".

I'm just pointing out that's exactly what Valve does. I was never arguing which company does it worse.

 

[Emitan]

Every google program does the same thing.

Why is Dragon Age Origins checking for updates? I haven't launched the game in weeks. I always have Google Chrome and Google Music running. DAO has no reason to constantly be checking for updates. At all.

 

[Keasar]

To do, install Origin, run it, and then have a script running that contiuosly logs into different shocksites on the internet and constantly refreshes them.

And then wait to see what kind of ads EA deemed suitable for me.

And also hope a little somebody over at EA is watching, just to ruin their whooooole day.

 

[Azih]

Seriously, Steam is far less invasive than Origin. WTF EA? The Two years thing and now this?

 

[Salsa]

I'm replying to Mama Robotnik. He said he doesn't want any of his information shared no matter how "carefully selected the fine print says".

I'm just pointing out that's exactly what Valve does. I was never arguing which company does it worse.

its not who does it "worse", origin does it and valve doesnt. Valve takes into account the stuff you do inside of Steam. There's a recommendation system for games and whatnot. This is required for the service to work like it does. What EA's doing here is extra shit that isnt needed at all for Origin to work properly.

 

[Emitan]

Our friends at EA will see what kind of porn you browse, and will use that information to specifically target your fetishes in the next Bioware game.

Oh good, I was hoping for a Star Wars crossover with Asari Twi'lek lesbian porn.

...

 

[Menelaus]

I write this letter to you today in the hopes that some sense can be made of what I’ve recently read about your Origin product. It has come to my attention that Origin’s EULA is explicitly granting EA the right to comb through our PC drives and troll for any pertinent info it can find in order to directly market to me. While I understand your competitor Valve has a similar feature, I must remind you that Valve’s is strictly OPT-IN.



Allow me to refresh you on the Origin EULA, in case you haven’t read it for yourself yet. If you haven’t, I suggest you do; it’s one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever seen come from your company.



“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.”



Note the bold and caps. Instead of an OPT-OUT option, we are simply told to go away, do not give EA our money, we are worthless scum unless we agree to be slaves to your ridiculous corporate whims.



I have to tell you, this disappoints me greatly. 80% of my gaming purchases are EA products, but this is appalling. I have Battlefield 3 preordered on 2 different platforms (PC and XBOX), but will be buying neither unless this is resolved. We are not money sponges that you may wring out into the pockets of your executives. We are your customers; you are beholden to US. To treat the very people that provide your daily bread in this very manner is sickening.



I look forward to hearing from you, thank you for your time.

Damn it feels good to hit send on these.

 

[Darklord]

That's illegal in Australia they if they didn't remove it or remove it now that it's out(for Australians), Origin might be blocked here. I remember they were forced to remove ads in 2142 because it was like spyware.

 

[Rapstah]

Damn it feels good to hit send on these.

You wouldn't have had to.

shamalayan.jpg

 

[DMczaf]

its not who does it "worse", origin does it and valve doesnt. Valve takes into account the stuff you do inside of Steam. There's a recommendation system for games and whatnot. This is required for the service to work like it does. What EA's doing here is extra shit that isnt needed at all for Origin to work properly.

He said he does not want any of his information shared with other parties no matter how carefully selected, Valve does share carefully selected information with other parties.

 

[inky]

I wonder if my porn of choice will make it so the appearance on default fem shepard aligns to my tastes?

Yeah, that is some fucked up EULA.

 

[Ponti]

Damn it feels good to hit send on these.

If you have Origin you don't need to send it, EA already have it.

 

[IndieJones]

Raise your hand if you routinely press "I Accept" without even glancing at the EULA other than to scroll to the end if it requires you to.

 

[Mama Robotnik]

He said he does not want any of his information shared with other parties no matter how carefully selected, Valve does share carefully selected information with other parties.

Yeah and I didn't know it. You make a good point DMczaf that Steam uses similar disclaimers and aren't exactly promisng to consider my personal data sacrosanct. I'm not happy with that either, and I thank you for the enlightening extract from their ToS.

EA's ToS does seem somewhat broader in the type of information they are gathering, recording and sharing, which is still a concern.

 

[Salsa]

Raise your hand if you routinely press "I Accept" without even glancing at the EULA other than to scroll to the end if it requires you to.

most of the times we do, and its because we've grown to understand that shit like this wont happen.

 

[rollingstart]

I'm replying to Mama Robotnik. He said he doesn't want any of his information shared no matter how "carefully selected the fine print says".

I'm just pointing out that's exactly what Valve does. I was never arguing which company does it worse.

"worse" is the key

Steam isn't rosebuds and lollipops. Go read the Deus Ex thread and see how people can't play the game yet. Even if you bought it at retail, you need to install steam and register it to your account.

Origin just happens to be worse, but it doesn't absolve Steam of its problems. At the end of the day, these are companies trying to make money. Trusting a company is mistake you haven't yet realized. Valve just happens to be way (way way way way way) better for now. Both companies can achance these privacy policies in the future, for better or worse. It's sickening to think it will more likely be the latter.

having said all that, Origin is making some big mistakes. The sales are good (I haven't bought from them yet) and registering retail games as digital purchases is great, but too many of their policies are anti-consumer.

 

[Twinduct]

Hey EA, if you reading this, suck a big one!
(Plus bring down the prices of the local origin store .... Also include my country with your sales ... oh and err that redtube site is mostly for research btw, yeah research!)

 

[Salsa]

"worse" is the key

Steam isn't rosebuds and lollipops. Go read the Deus Ex thread and see how people can't play the game yet. Even if you bought it at retail, you need to install steam and register it to your account.

uh? this is a matter of region locking and is handled by the publisher with no input from Steam whatsoever. Different games get different release dates around the world, its been like that forever, the only thing Steam does is allow for the game to be released in retail earlier knowing that the actual release date will still be respected.

Steam IS rosebuds and lollipops. I know people like to hate on everything and specially on what's popular, but it is what it is, its a fucking fantastic service. The only complain i get about the service is that the PC has always been an open platform and consumers should have options on what they want and dont want to use. But to say that EA is worse than Steam, stating that steam is "bad", is just plain wrong.

 

[SneakyStephan]

I hate that people forget that. Until a few years ago Steam was shit and I absolutely hated it.

But steam exists and is successful now.
Origin also exists, that is why it is entitled to the same kind of success!

Or at least that is the kind of logic around here on gaf.

If you have Origin you don't need to send it, EA already have it.

:lol

 

[Rubezh]

Uninstalled with immediate effect. Good thing I don't have anything on my account apart from a few games registered from Steam.

 

[Keasar]

I wonder if this is illegal here in Sweden...

 

[peakish]

Maybe I'm stupid but I just read all of that as if it'll be limited to what happens in their client even if it isn't clearly specified. Well that and that they'll also allow for drm to scan for d-tools and what not ...

Anyway I don't think it's that worrisome and it surely won't keep me from installing it until someone reports this stuff being used maliciously.

 

[Twinduct]

I know it's illegal in South Africa, hell it's completely against the consumer act. Then again, so is spam, yet that still exists.

 

[echoshifting]

...isn't TOR expected to require Origin? This would pretty much kill any chance I would pick up that game, and that would be a shame. I've been looking forward to it for quite a while, but I won't have EA sniffing around my computer and sharing whatever they want with third parties for ad/marketing. This is nothing like what Steam does. It's a much wider net.

 

[IndieJones]

most of the times we do, and its because we've grown to understand that shit like this wont happen.

Yeah, and now they're playing us like suckers. "People don't read these things so they have no recourse. Spy away!" I'm not saying I'm not guilty of not reading them, either.

Is there any way to read the EULA for a game without opening it and therefore being unable to return it? Is saying to the store clerk, "I don't agree to the End-User Licence," enough to let you get your money back? How about on a digital distribution service like Steam? I'm actually curious.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Raise your hand if you routinely press "I Accept" without even glancing at the EULA other than to scroll to the end if it requires you to.

We are doomed!

 

[Twinduct]

So .. whose gonna go stick a bunch of ' Contains spyware! ' stickers on BF3 when it releases?

 

[Keasar]

We are doomed!

Oh god...

 

[HamPster PamPster]

If EA takes my umm... "late night internet browsing" into account for Mass Effect 3 then I will buy Mass Effect 3

 

[Metalmurphy]

Check any other EULA from a service like this and you'll see they're all pretty much the same.

 

[Emitan]

...isn't TOR expected to require Origin?

Nope.

 

[echoshifting]

Nope.

Oh good Thanks, that is quite a relief.

 

[Salsa]

Check any other EULA from a service like this and you'll see they're all pretty much the same.

actually: it aint.

 

[Ponti]

Check any other EULA from a service like this and you'll see they're all pretty much the same.

Check the thread and you'll see that they aren't.

 

[D4Danger]

Check any other EULA from a service like this and you'll see they're all pretty much the same.

any other examples where they say it's ok to scan your hdd to see what other stuff you have and log your web activity so they can pass it off to third-party marketing partners?

because I'm pretty sure nobody else does that.

 

[Emitan]

Yeah, and now they're playing us like suckers. "People don't read these things so they have no recourse. Spy away!" I'm not saying I'm not guilty of not reading them, either.

Is there any way to read the EULA for a game without opening it and therefore being unable to return it? Is saying to the store clerk, "I don't agree to the End-User Licence," enough to let you get your money back? How about on a digital distribution service like Steam? I'm actually curious.

Legally stores have to take back a copy if you don't agree to the EULA (in the US). But they don't because they can just keep you in court forever so no one tries.