Spyware?

[Admiral V]

So I’ve recently come upon threads that are accusing the game of being Spyware. Is this true or is it some hoax?

[dude bro]

its not true its because people think its true because its most likely that it spread from some idiot who makes hoaxes

[Admiral V]

Hm ok

Originally posted by Vietnamese Destroyer:

its not true its because people think its true because its most likely that it spread from some idiot who makes hoaxes

[Radiocaster]

Its a hoax

[Admiral V]

Hoorah

Originally posted by RadioactiveTurtle:

Its a hoax

[Инфекция полового члена]

this game is spyware. they will monitor your chat and arrest you

Originally posted by Trapnation:

this game is spyware. they will monitor your chat and arrest you

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, calm down.

[Admiral V]

Oh no I’ve said too many gay jokes already :(

Originally posted by Trapnation:

this game is spyware. they will monitor your chat and arrest you

[pivotman319 (Trans Rights FTW!)]

Simple fact: it ain't spyware.

A developer has already confirmed that the two new files (Analytics.dll and GameAnalytics.dll) are used to collect in-game session data (like startups), and not personal information.

[Admiral V]

I hope that’s the case then.

Originally posted by pivotman319:

Simple fact: it ain't spyware.

A developer has already confirmed that the two new files (Analytics.dll and GameAnalytics.dll) are used to collect in-game session data (like startups), and not personal information.

[Tfinnm]

They added a third party analytics tool which people have accused of being "spyware". I can neither confirm nor deny this, however I would bet it isn't and that it is a harmless tool, this said I removed it anyway because it was seeming to slow down my game.

[MetroGreen†]

Originally posted by Nick:

Originally posted by Trapnation:

this game is spyware. they will monitor your chat and arrest you

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, calm down.

This is true. my dad said the dreaded gamer word on roblox one time and i havn't seem him since, at least that's what my wife's boyfriend's son tells me.

[Admiral V]

And how do you remove it?

Originally posted by Tfinnm:

They added a third party analytics tool which people have accused of being "spyware". I can neither confirm nor deny this, however I would bet it isn't and that it is a harmless tool, this said I removed it anyway because it was seeming to slow down my game.

[pivotman319 (Trans Rights FTW!)]

Originally posted by Admiral Mikaela:

And how do you remove it?

Originally posted by Tfinnm:

They added a third party analytics tool which people have accused of being "spyware". I can neither confirm nor deny this, however I would bet it isn't and that it is a harmless tool, this said I removed it anyway because it was seeming to slow down my game.

Removing it is just simple; open Notepad, blank out the entire contents of the two DLL files found in the GarrysMod/bin folder, save and mark them as read-only.

This method serves as a permanent opt-out.

[Admiral V]

Sweet thank you

Originally posted by pivotman319:

Originally posted by Admiral Mikaela:

And how do you remove it?

Removing it is just simple; open Notepad, blank out the entire contents of the two DLL files found in the GarrysMod/bin folder, save and mark them as read-only.

This method serves as a permanent opt-out.

[Archie Buttle]

Originally posted by pivotman319:

Originally posted by Admiral Mikaela:

And how do you remove it?

Removing it is just simple; open Notepad, blank out the entire contents of the two DLL files found in the GarrysMod/bin folder, save and mark them as read-only.

This method serves as a permanent opt-out.

This isn't strictly true. Despite following your instructions (marking blank files as read-only), said files will nevertheless be overridden the next time "Verify integrity of game files..." is run. You will see a message, like: "2 files failed to validate and will be reacquired." The "read-only" files will be restored to their original, functional versions. I am not sure, but this may also be the case whenever a new game update is pushed.

By the way, there are two GameAnalytics files found in the following locations:

• ..\steamapps\common\GarrysMod\bin\GameAnalytics.dll
  
• ..\steamapps\common\GarrysMod\garrysmod\bin\analytics.dll

The most certain way to disable GameAnalytics telemetry is via the following method:

If you're running Windows Professional Edition, you can permanently block both files from running via 'Local Security Policy'. See the following guide for instructions on how to do this: https://www.reddit.com/r/playrust/comments/bjtn07/will_facepunch_add_red_shell_analytics_software/emhesjl/

Also, here is an explanation of why GameAnalytics is spyware (with many references back to GameAnalytics own Terms and Conditions, etc.): https://www.reddit.com/r/playrust/comments/bkf4lw/so_i_just_seen_that_rust_uses_gameanalyticsdll/emjurqu/

People ought to take some time to actually research the issues they're clearly passionate enough to speak out about. In any case, despite some of the destructive rumours going around, GameAnalytics/MobVista has no known connection to "Red Shell". GameAnalytics does indeed pass your telemetry data and personal information to their Hong Kong-based parent company, MobVista, whose business model relies entirely upon targeted advertising of individuals by combining many data sources, including GameAnalytics, to create a more comprehensive profile of each user, ideally knowing their real name, age, sex, location and interests. This is all covered in the above link, with sources.