EA/Origin taking your information

[Edge-]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news...ion-of-Privacy

The important part:

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.

Interesting. I know it's not uncommon (in fact, just about everyone does this) for a service (Facebook, Steam ect.) to gather information that exists on that platform (or Google getting all the information about your internet usage ect.). I think it's a bit much, but for the most part I'm alright with it because there are ways to limit what they can see (except Google...dirty devils). However the clause is just insane. You HAVE to give them full access to your computer (more or less) and any/all information on it in order to use it.

Curious as to what other people think about this. At this point (the initial rage) I'm not going to get BF3 when it comes out, but we'll see once I've calmed down and thought about this some if I change my mind. I think it's SERIOUSLY screwed up and am afraid of this because it essentially sets a new precedent for what access companies can have to your personal information (i.e. the stuff you don't enter in their websites or do in their games/services).

[Dakia]

This had pretty much made me decide that I'm not using Origin until that EULA changes. I realize that other companies do this as well, but from my understanding, they do so nowhere near to the degree that MS is planning. I haven't looked in to it, but I'm wondering if BF3 requires Origin to run. I was highly anticipating the game, but this is a no sale for me if it requires Origin to run.

[Mothhive]

I wasn't ever going to use Origin anyway, this just makes me realise I was right in my decision. If BF3 is only available via Origin, I'll just skip it thanks.

[hailey]

Hopefully enough people get angry that they change it. I'm sadly indifferent about it, I just feel like every big company has no respect for your information as it is. It just doesn't really shock me

[Deleted]

This is why I won't be playing Battlefield 3.

[Karteli]

It's not any worse than stuff already out there. Google Toolbar is an app I find completely useless, but Google likes to install it to monitor your personal browsing habits (even those not affiliated with Google.com), for instance.

EA collects the information about your system and shares the data with marketers without personally identifying you. I'm OK with this. If they changed it such that marketers can specifically target me and build a profile, I'd be really pissed.

I'd imagine this happens only while you play the game, not when you are offline.

Application usage is very vague, but I believe this does not include access to files already on your computer, like a personal finance record spreadsheet, or a personal resume.

They should clean up all the vague references and just say what they are going to do, ie - get a list of installed apps, see the history of apps you uninstalled, see what your most used app is, see which apps are installed but not used much, check your broswer history, monitor what websites you visit while logged on, etc.

Bottom line - clean your computer's cache from time to time if you wanna keep private stuff private. And just like with WoW's Warden, don't do internet banking while logged onto the game ..! .. or surf porn

[Wynnyelle]

That'll teach me to start reading EULAs more often. I will definitely not be using Origin ever. Hopefully I won't need to anytime soon, but it sucks for the people who are looking forward to BF3. If they want to compete with CoD, this is a bad way to do it.

[Deleted]

really depends on what information and what they plan to do with it, if they really want to sell my email address to some terrible business to spam email me, then go ahead, i always put down random emails i never use and fake names/phone numbers when i register for games, so do what ever they want with that information, usually a random address aswell. and my internet use? they can watch what im browsing if i want, hope they have fun.

[unholytestament]

don't do internet banking while logged onto the game

Oh, well that's no bid d-

or surf porn

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Solstark]

This'll probably not have any impact on my personal life, so I'll let it slide. If it happens, and my ... life gets ruined I'll come back and regret that I ever had anything to do with EA.

[exstarcraftfan]

Interesting. I know it's not uncommon (in fact, just about everyone does this) for a service (Facebook, Steam ect.) to gather information that exists on that platform (or Google getting all the information about your internet usage ect.). I think it's a bit much, but for the most part I'm alright with it because there are ways to limit what they can see (except Google...dirty devils).

Get a block list with all the google IP ranges and add them to your firewall or a block list manager(I only allow google connections when I need it).Facebook tries to connect to my computer often without reason so I block all the NXP Semico(facebook) IP ranges too.

edit:Oh and dont forget Microsoft,they can access your computer anytime they want,its hard to prevent it because they made lots of effort to keep a foot in your door

[synthetikv]

so many other companies do this its almost stupid that this is making any sort of news.

[Greevir]

WoW does the same thing. I fail to see the issue here.

[Edge-]

WoW does the same thing. I fail to see the issue here.

They do not scan your ENTIRE computer. Most EULA's give the company access to your hardware, and all client related files (i.e. what you do with their game or service, if you alter/change any client files ect.). That's very common and I don't think you find too many people concerned about it since it's so limited. It's the unlimited access within the EULA that bothers me (and some other people) so much. The fact that they can access non client related information on your computer is the big issue. Sure, they may never look at it, but the fact that they force you (if you want to use the service) to agree to give them permission to access and sell any information from your computer is pretty nuts.

I guess I'm just getting really tired of losing more and more privacy as large companies force intrusive policies onto you if you want to use their products : /

[Greevir]

They do not scan your ENTIRE computer. Most EULA's give the company access to your hardware, and all client related files (i.e. what you do with their game or service, if you alter/change any client files ect.). That's very common and I don't think you find too many people concerned about it since it's so limited. It's the unlimited access within the EULA that bothers me (and some other people) so much. The fact that they can access non client related information on your computer is the big issue. Sure, they may never look at it, but the fact that they force you (if you want to use the service) to agree to give them permission to access and sell any information from your computer is pretty nuts.

I guess I'm just getting really tired of losing more and more privacy as large companies force intrusive policies onto you if you want to use their products : /

B. WHEN THE GAME IS RUNNING, BLIZZARD MAY OBTAIN CERTAIN IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR COMPUTER, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION YOUR HARD DRIVES, CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT, IP ADDRESS(ES) AND OPERATING SYSTEM(S), FOR PURPOSES OF IMPROVING THE GAME AND/OR THE SERVICE, AND TO POLICE AND ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY BLIZZARD AGREEMENT.

C. Blizzard may, with or without notice to you, disclose your Internet Protocol (IP) address(es), personal information, chat logs, and other information about you and your activities: (a) in response to a request by law enforcement, a court order or other legal process; or (b) if Blizzard believes that doing so may protect your safety or the safety of others.

D. BLIZZARD MAY MONITOR, RECORD, REVIEW, MODIFY AND/OR DISCLOSE YOUR CHAT SESSIONS, WHETHER VOICE OR TEXT, WITHOUT NOTICE TO YOU, AND YOU HEREBY CONSENT TO SUCH MONITORING, RECORDING, REVIEW, MODIFICATION AND/OR DISCLOSURE. Additionally, you acknowledge that Blizzard is under no obligation to monitor your electronic communications, and you engage in those communications at your own risk.

Taken from: http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/legal/wow_tou.html
It really is no different.

[Dakia]

Taken from: http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/legal/wow_tou.html
It really is no different.

It is vastly different. I don't understand how you fail to see the difference between full scans of you PC and hardware information.

[Madcaptn]

Who cares seriously. I could care less if they know my name or that I have an i5 2500k processor. Can't wait for BF3.

[Devirae]

It is vastly different. I don't understand how you fail to see the difference between full scans of you PC and hardware information.

Reread the bolded part.

[Dakia]

Reread the bolded part.

Reread the part just after the bolded part. Then, compare it to the EA Origin EULA and the purpose and scope of their scans.

[Greevir]

Reread the part just after the bolded part. Then, compare it to the EA Origin EULA and the purpose and scope of their scans.

FOR PURPOSES OF IMPROVING THE GAME AND/OR THE SERVICE, AND TO POLICE AND ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY BLIZZARD AGREEMENT

That part? which is also in the EA one:

EA may also use this information combined with personal information for marketing purposes and to improve our products and services.