Can data collection via PlayFab be switched off?

[la merde]

I read through the data protection guidelines on the shop page and came across the (long) reference to the use of the third-party tool "PlayFab".

Is there a way to switch this off in the game options?

[ThunderfulGemma | Community]

Originally posted by la merde:

I read through the data protection guidelines on the shop page and came across the (long) reference to the use of the third-party tool "PlayFab".

Is there a way to switch this off in the game options?

Thanks for your question. No, there is no way to turn this off.

[Makenshi]

Originally posted by Gemma_Coatsink:

Originally posted by la merde:

I read through the data protection guidelines on the shop page and came across the (long) reference to the use of the third-party tool "PlayFab".

Is there a way to switch this off in the game options?

Thanks for your question. No, there is no way to turn this off.

This is illegal in the EU. You're not complying with the GDPR.
Will you offer a solution to this issue?

[XartaX]

Originally posted by Makenshi:

Originally posted by Gemma_Coatsink:

Thanks for your question. No, there is no way to turn this off.

This is illegal in the EU. You're not complying with the GDPR.
Will you offer a solution to this issue?

I'm pretty sure it's not compliant with GDPR.

A few points on GDPR:

- Consent has to be explicit. Merely showing the EULA and having you press accept is not satisfactory (very few people actually read it). Especially when the data collection isn't necessary for the game to work (it's a single player game that should be playable completely offline). Most people playing this game won't even be aware it has telemetry.
- It requires that collection of personal data be limited to what is necessary to the purposes for which they are processed. If the telemetry is for bug fixing/improving the game, they have no reason to need to know WHO that data is connected to. And they do collect account information (which can be anything really). Collecting PII (personally identifiable information) also means that GDPR is a lot more strict about it.
- A user has the right to object and withdraw consent at any time. The game does not provide an option to turn off telemetry. In addition, as mentioned earlier, the telemetry isn't necessary for the game to function. Which brings us to the following:
- Consent must be "freely given". In the context of GDPR, this means that the player must have a real choice. If you are not able to play the game without giving consent, and that data isn't necessary for the game to function (like login information in an online game, for example), it would be viewed basically as coercion under GDPR. Which means it's not "freely given".
- GDPR explicitly states that the provision of a service should not be conditional upon the consent to process personal data that is not necessary for the performance of the service. See all the points above about how it's a single player game that doesn't need the telemetry to function and the previous point about "freely given".

If you live in a country protected by GDPR, you should probably contact the relevant authorities about it. Just explain the above, about how it collects personal information not required for the service to function, and provides no way of opting out of said collection.

[p4rs3C]

This needs to be addressed.
Thank you.

[ThunderfulGemma | Community]

Thank you. We are looking into this.

[XartaX]

Rogue Trader just launched.

Upon launching the game, I got to the options menu and see this:

https://pasteboard.co/EECuwFvnXzWb.png

Everything turned off by default. Let's you select what you want to share. Lets you see what information has been uploaded, etc.

It's not that hard.

[Basilllisk]

OP and others, if you're on windows here's what you can do:

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall
   
2. From there go to Advanced Settings
   
3. select Outbound rules on the upper left hand side
   
4. right click to add a new rule, or select new rule from the right
   
5. select program as the type of rule you want, and hit next
   
6. link to the path of the game exe, and hit next
   
7. check block the connection, and hit next
   
8. leave domain, private, and public checked and hit next
   
9. name it something like "block Steamworld Build data collection"
   
10. hit finish and you're good to go

There's a chance that the game exe calls some other program installed on your computer and routes data out that way, I've seen other games do it this way to be sneaky. If that's the case you simply repeat the steps above. Firewalls don't just keep things out, they can keep things in. You can do this same process for other games.

I was interested in the game and this kind of issue is frankly an immediate no-buy from me, and furthermore will put the entire studio on my ignore list in the future.

[backohead74]

Originally posted by huw:

Originally posted by Gemma_Coatsink:

No, there is no way to turn this off.

And that's the reason this game is moving from my wishlist to my ignore list.

Same here. Not a good look and I really enjoy the SteamWorld games. The publisher was hoping no one would notice and this makes the Dev's look bad even though id bet they had no choice in the matter.

[RabbitWizard]

Originally posted by Gemma_Coatsink:

Thank you. We are looking into this.

https://playfab.com/terms/
It's number 4 in the TOS. How did you miss that, resulting in "looking into it" after releasing the game?

[XartaX]

Originally posted by RabbitWizard:

Originally posted by Gemma_Coatsink:

Thank you. We are looking into this.

https://playfab.com/terms/
It's number 4 in the TOS. How did you miss that, resulting in "looking into it" after releasing the game?

Wew

You agree you are the controller of personal data and PlayFab is the processor of such personal data, except when you act as a processor of personal data, in which case PlayFab is a subprocessor. PlayFab will process personal data only on your documented instructions.

It outright states no you're responsible for everything. Maybe you shouldn't just contact the authorities, but Microsoft as well. I wonder if they'd continue offering their services if they know that the devs are trying to make them liable. Point 4.10. has information on how to contact them.

[ThunderfulGemma | Community]

Originally posted by RabbitWizard:

Originally posted by Gemma_Coatsink:

Thank you. We are looking into this.

https://playfab.com/terms/
It's number 4 in the TOS. How did you miss that, resulting in "looking into it" after releasing the game?

I understand your frustrations, but I would like to point out that I am in fact the community manager and I had no say or input in the implementation of this.

The concerns raised by the community have been noted and shared with the wider team, who are now looking into this matter diligently.

When I have more information to share, I'll be able to do so.

[ThunderfulGemma | Community]

Originally posted by Makenshi:

Originally posted by Gemma_Coatsink:

Thanks for your question. No, there is no way to turn this off.

This is illegal in the EU. You're not complying with the GDPR.
Will you offer a solution to this issue?

I have noted and raised the community concerns about this matter with the team. When I know more, I will be able to share. I kindly ask for your patience.

[TheTool]

Originally posted by Gemma_Coatsink:

Originally posted by RabbitWizard:

https://playfab.com/terms/
It's number 4 in the TOS. How did you miss that, resulting in "looking into it" after releasing the game?

I understand your frustrations, but I would like to point out that I am in fact the community manager and I had no say or input in the implementation of this.

The concerns raised by the community have been noted and shared with the wider team, who are now looking into this matter diligently.

When I have more information to share, I'll be able to do so.

We are in no way holding you personally accountable and truly appreciate you diligence in the matter.
Many of us are still very interested in this title if the "oddities" can be worked out in the future.
Thank you,

[XartaX]

Originally posted by TheTool:

Originally posted by Gemma_Coatsink:

I understand your frustrations, but I would like to point out that I am in fact the community manager and I had no say or input in the implementation of this.

The concerns raised by the community have been noted and shared with the wider team, who are now looking into this matter diligently.

When I have more information to share, I'll be able to do so.

We are in no way holding you personally accountable and truly appreciate you diligence in the matter.
Many of us are still very interested in this title if the "oddities" can be worked out in the future.
Thank you,

I wouldn't hold them accountable for the EULA in the first place, but I would hold them accountable for asking people to be patient and wait when about more than a week has passed and they're flagrantly breaking the law.

[ThunderfulGemma | Community]

Originally posted by XartaX:

Originally posted by TheTool:

We are in no way holding you personally accountable and truly appreciate you diligence in the matter.
Many of us are still very interested in this title if the "oddities" can be worked out in the future.
Thank you,

I wouldn't hold them accountable for the EULA in the first place, but I would hold them accountable for asking people to be patient and wait when about more than a week has passed and they're flagrantly breaking the law.

My role is to share community feedback with the team. There isn't anything more I can do at present. I can, however, reassure you the correct people are dealing with the matter as quickly as possible.