Red Shell Spyware? :: Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Helmgart Keep

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CRT Vail

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:29am

Red Shell Spyware?

Red shell is a Spyware that tracks data of your PC and shares it with 3rd parties. On their website they formulate it all in very harmless language, but the fact is that this is software from someone i don't trust and whom i never invited, which is looking at my data and running on my pc against my will. This should have no place in a full price PC game, and in no games if it were up to me.

Red Shell can collect the following to create a 'fingerprint' unique identifier for your computer:

Your Gamer tag (Steam, Xbox live, PSN, etc) may be used

Redshell also mentions that they do/have collect[ed] ip addresses

Operating System (e.g., Windows 10, Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.11.5, Windows Vista Service Pack 2)

Screen Resolution (e.g., 1920x1080, 1440x900)

Timezone (Based on offsets of UTC)

Language (Your computer's language or region code, e.g., en, de, en-us, en-ca)

Installed Fonts (All fonts installed on the computer)

Installed Browsers (Names and version numbers)

https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/

I found this .dll in my V2 folder; steamapps\common\Warhammer Vermintide 2\binaries

I never opted in for this, so does this not mean you not only secretly collect information but also are in violations of GDPR in which users shall have knowledge of information collected and actually OPT IN for data collection?
What do you even use it for, why is it here?

Edit: While about DBD it pretty much works the same for Vermintide II as well, https://www.reddit.com/r/deadbydaylight/comments/8q1365/dead_by_daylight_is_using_redshell_spyware/e0fubg7/

Since the GDPR law is now in effect all services have to comply to a couple things that includes;

Users have to be made aware and have to agree upon the data collection

Users have the ability to request their data thats being collected

Users have the right to request deletion of the data that is collected

Services can not force users to accept data collection that does not improve/is required for the service ran.

Users have the right to opt out of any tracking involved that isnt necessary for the service to work

If you look at these 4 points you can see Dead By Daylight and redshell breaches every single one of these;

I personally was never asked if i agreed on these trackings

Where the ♥♥♥♥ do i even request this information let alone request to delete it

Let me tell you, whatever fonts i have installed whatever internet browser i use has NOTHING to do with Dead By Daylight it isn't going to help u balance the game either

since the tracking is done by a third party website the onlyway of opting out is emailing redshell and "believe" them they wont track you anymore

Last edited by CRT Vail; Jun 10, 2018 @ 10:19am

A developer of this app has marked a post as the answer to the topic above.
Click here to jump to that post.

Originally posted by Hedge:

Thank you for all your enthusiastic feedback on the matter of Red Shell. We can confirm we will be removing Red Shell in a future update.

Whilst it's a no more than a tool we can use to improve our marketing campaigns in the same way a browser cookie might (although even less 'invasive' than a browser cookie), we can also appreciate that this kind of mechanism is frowned upon by you, our fans, and whilst we'd love to be able to break down the very ins and outs of how it works and how safe it is, we're not Red Shell and cannot always answer your questions or concerns as effectively as you'd like. We apologise that you feel violated and will note in the patch notes exactly when the library is removed from the game, but know that before that time the library will be out of action.

Thank you all again, and may Sigmar guide you.

< >

Showing 1-15 of 602 comments

CureAga Wine has Warhammer: Vermintide 2

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:36am

Pretty sure they have it all is in TOS.

Gorwe

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:37am

Originally posted by F0ks3d:
Pretty sure they have it all is in TOS.

Let's see whether they do.

Kumori^

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:39am

hat do you even use it for, why is it here?

if it's redshell.io it's simply gather more accurate user numbers than steamcharts. All companies gather usage of their products to maximise and improve where it is.

Just started googling though, so could be more harmful than I found so far.

Kumori^

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:40am

Originally posted by Gorwe:
Originally posted by F0ks3d:
Pretty sure they have it all is in TOS.

Let's see whether they do.

5. Collection of Information
Fatshark may collect information from you when you use the Game. Such information includes your SteamID, computer configuration, gameplay behavior and progress, browser type, platform type and software usage. This information is gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, product support and other services related to the Game.

Fatshark may use any collected information to improve its products, administer the Game, analyze trends, or to provide services to you. In addition, Fatshark may use this information for the purpose of research, development, administration, support and marketing of Fatshark products and services.

This EULA incorporates by reference Fatshark's Privacy Policy ( http://www.fatsharkgames.com/privacy/ ); by installing the game and accepting this EULA, you hereby accept the terms of the Privacy Policy.

Btw this is something all companies do, they are all gathering data like this. Like usual people don't read or know what ToS in general includes and then act shocked about something like this.

Last edited by Kumori^; Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:41am

Nyx

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:40am

Originally posted by F0ks3d:
Pretty sure they have it all is in TOS.

You can't include the collection of personal data in TOS anymore - that is the whole point of GDPR - you have to specifically opt-in (in plain english) and say what data you are collecting, what you use it for etc.

These needs to go from this game as well, it's being removed from quite a few other games I've noticed.

Vacca

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:41am

I'll be honest, it's pretty intrusive but I'd be surprised if our computers haven't been monitored for decades without us even knowing. I know it's bad but in the end it's sending data like browser history, windows version and drivers. idc much about that. I understand some people might tho.

Lederpeitsche has Warhammer: Vermintide 2

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:41am

Originally posted by Privileged Client™:
What do you even use it for, why is it here?

Originally posted by Red Shell:
Red Shell is a software package used by game developers and publishers to help them measure the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns. It works by tying information from marketing campaigns to in-game play.

https://redshell.io/gamers

Kumori^

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:42am

Originally posted by Nyx:
Originally posted by F0ks3d:
Pretty sure they have it all is in TOS.

You can't include the collection of personal data in TOS anymore - that is the whole point of GDPR - you have to specifically opt-in (in plain english) and say what data you are collecting, what you use it for etc.

These needs to go from this game as well, it's being removed from quite a few other games I've noticed.

What constitutes as personal data btw? I wouldn't say OS and resolution is personal...but I honestly have no clue.

CRT Vail

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:42am

Originally posted by F0ks3d:
Pretty sure they have it all is in TOS.

https://www.huntonprivacyblog.com/2017/12/15/article-29-working-party-publishes-guidance-on-consent-under-the-gdpr/

Consent must be an unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes and accordingly, must be given by a statement or by a clear affirmative action which signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to the data subject.

The Guidance states that for consent to be “explicit,” the data subject must give an express statement of his or her consent, for example, by expressly confirming his or her consent in an explicit statement. In the electronic context, an express statement of consent could be given by the data subject by filling in an electronic form, sending an email, uploading a scanned document or using an electronic signature.

Don't read like a TOS holds up, its why we got all those "please opt in" and check box emails.

CRT Vail

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:44am

Originally posted by Kumori^:
Originally posted by Nyx:

You can't include the collection of personal data in TOS anymore - that is the whole point of GDPR - you have to specifically opt-in (in plain english) and say what data you are collecting, what you use it for etc.

These needs to go from this game as well, it's being removed from quite a few other games I've noticed.

What constitutes as personal data btw? I wouldn't say OS and resolution is personal...but I honestly have no clue.

ersonal data' means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person ('data subject').” In other words, any information that is clearly about a particular person. ... In certain circumstances, someone's IP address, hair colour, job or political opinions could be considered personal data.

#10

Nyx

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:45am

Originally posted by Kumori^:
Originally posted by Nyx:

You can't include the collection of personal data in TOS anymore - that is the whole point of GDPR - you have to specifically opt-in (in plain english) and say what data you are collecting, what you use it for etc.

These needs to go from this game as well, it's being removed from quite a few other games I've noticed.

What constitutes as personal data btw? I wouldn't say OS and resolution is personal...but I honestly have no clue.

A good example is your IP address - that's been deemed personal data under GDPR - anything that is unique to you which could be used to identify you.

Last edited by Nyx; Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:46am

#11

Kumori^

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:47am

Originally posted by Privileged Client™:
Originally posted by Kumori^:

What constitutes as personal data btw? I wouldn't say OS and resolution is personal...but I honestly have no clue.
'
ersonal data' means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person ('data subject').” In other words, any information that is clearly about a particular person. ... In certain circumstances, someone's IP address, hair colour, job or political opinions could be considered personal data. [/quote]
Seems like it's only IP adress then.

Btw I found this. https://redshell.io/optout

#12

Gorwe

Jun 10, 2018 @ 9:48am

It seems it does, but nowhere is Red Shell specifically mentioned:

5. Collection of Information
Fatshark may collect information from you when you use the Game. Such information includes your SteamID, computer configuration, gameplay behavior and progress, browser type, platform type and software usage. This information is gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, product support and other services related to the Game.

Fatshark may use any collected information to improve its products, administer the Game, analyze trends, or to provide services to you. In addition, Fatshark may use this information for the purpose of research, development, administration, support and marketing of Fatshark products and services.

This EULA incorporates by reference Fatshark's Privacy Policy ( http://www.fatsharkgames.com/privacy/ ); by installing the game and accepting this EULA, you hereby accept the terms of the Privacy Policy.

#13