How to block Data Collection?

[Rizilliant]

Before I just refund the game, how does one block this? I cant believe this is being so widely tolerated

[BoogieMan]

Settings very top:

Allow sending of game statistics On -> Off
Allow sending of save games On -> Off

[Calan]

you get a message when you start to disable it completely, did you forget to learn to read in school?

[Rizilliant]

Unfortunately, you cannot get to the settings without agreeing.. Declining immediately exits the game.

Originally posted by Salazan:

you get a message when you start to disable it completely, did you forget to learn to read in school?

No.. When you install the game, youre met with an EULA that states they will be collecting your data. You can agree, or not. In order to get to the settings, you will have to had already accepted the agreement.. Proceeding, accepts the agreement.

Did you forget to read in school?

[Gregorovitch]

Originally posted by Lets Go Brandon! FJB:

Originally posted by Salazan:

you get a message when you start to disable it completely, did you forget to learn to read in school?

No.. When you install the game, youre met with an EULA that states they will be collecting your data. You can agree, or not. In order to get to the settings, you will have to had already accepted the agreement.. Proceeding, accepts the agreement.

Once you have got past the EULA you will have the option to disable the data collection.

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Gregorovitch:

Originally posted by Lets Go Brandon! FJB:

No.. When you install the game, youre met with an EULA that states they will be collecting your data. You can agree, or not. In order to get to the settings, you will have to had already accepted the agreement.. Proceeding, accepts the agreement.

Once you have got past the EULA you will have the option to disable the data collection.

I think OP believes that by agreeing to the EULA, all his personal information will be immediately copied to the devs' servers, or something close to that.

[Rizilliant]

But you have already agreed to it at that point. The first thing you get when opening the program, is an EULA. If you decline, it closes the program.

[Rizilliant]

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Originally posted by Gregorovitch:

Once you have got past the EULA you will have the option to disable the data collection.

I think OP believes that by agreeing to the EULA, all his personal information will be immediately copied to the devs' servers, or something close to that.

By all means, enlighten me

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Lets Go Brandon! FJB:

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

I think OP believes that by agreeing to the EULA, all his personal information will be immediately copied to the devs' servers, or something close to that.

By all means, enlighten me

The data they MIGHT collect pertains to saves and game statistics. How much of that data do you figure you'll have if you've never actually played the game?

[Gregorovitch]

Originally posted by Lets Go Brandon! FJB:

I cant believe this is being so widely tolerated

It's widely tolerated for two reasons:

1. Owlcat ask your permission to use your game data. If you say no they won't mine it.

2. This data is incredibly useful for game development. That's why I always allow it providing the dev has the courtesy to ask my permission and tells me what they want to mine, what they want to do with it and preferably why up front.

If a dev does it without asking permission I won't buy the game. This is partly 'cos of the cheek of it, but mostly 'cos that also avoids them having to specify exactly what data they want to mine, they can take whatever they like. But most of the devs that do that also have their own launchers etc so I don't play their stupid games anyway, the issue never comes up for me.

You should note that Owlcat are not in the slightest bit interested in collecting personal data about you or even associating your name with your game data. They are interested only in the overall statistics across the player base.

Same when Steam asks you to allow them to collect your PC configuration data. The results of this are of enormous importance to game devs in determining where to pitch their min specs and recommended specs for new games. There is no other way to get hold of this information reliably.

Everybody benefits from this - including you.

[forkofspite]

Feel free to avoid everything that collects data. Have fun!!!!

[Charllize]

Turn off internet, aaand done :)

[forkofspite]

Originally posted by Charllize:

Turn off internet, aaand done :)

Don't forget phones!!!

[mk11]

Originally posted by forkofspite:

Originally posted by Charllize:

Turn off internet, aaand done :)

Don't forget phones!!!

And CCTV and ANPR cameras so better stay in the house.

However, given that Owlcat are based in Cyprus I would expect them to pay more attention to EU data protection law.

[MattStriker]

Originally posted by mk11:

Originally posted by forkofspite:

Don't forget phones!!!

And CCTV and ANPR cameras so better stay in the house.

However, given that Owlcat are based in Cyprus I would expect them to pay more attention to EU data protection law.

The cyprus thing is new. Before Russolini's little imperial adventure they were based in Russia, but due to sanctions and other factors they ended up moving the HQ to what used to be a satellite office in Cyprus. However, as far as I understand they've always done business in the EU through said cyprus office which means they would have been bound by EU law already.

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by mk11:

Originally posted by forkofspite:

Don't forget phones!!!

And CCTV and ANPR cameras so better stay in the house.

Nah, you just have to wear a mask.