Privacy Issues : Detection of Non-Steam Software while Steam is online

[<™[-=> Cookiez <=-]™>]

Hi,

I just noticed Steam being able to detect the Titanfall : Beta which is on Origin. This game is not launched from Steam.

If Steam is able to read all the software e.g. Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer that are being used on your computer while it is running, is it not an invasion of your privacy?

It would be most helpful is a Steam developer could clarify this issue.

Thank you.

http://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/

Edit:
For the developer : What other non-Steam associated software can Steam have access to? Can we please have an official statement? I almost believed forum assumptions.

[<™[-=> Cookiez <=-]™>]

henryg eredeti hozzászólása:

I do not understand what you're talking about. The hardware survey is a one-time process, it prompts you every time it runs (which for many people is never, or maybe once per install). I think that it is completely unrelated to your initial post.

What precisely are you seeing Steam do that is unexpected? Please describe it fully, and if possible, post a screenshot on an image-hosting service.

I am saying that Steam is able to note whether someone is using the Titanfall Beta, which is a non-Steam associated game. That is unexpected. Being able to scan other software that are non-Steam associated means you can possibly scan all other files that I did not allow you access to.

If you wish to recreate the scenario, just install the Titanfall Beta and you will know. Refer to the tags.

Did Electronic Arts agree to let Steam have this kind of data? Wouldn't EA be super-pissed if they found out?

[<™[-=> Cookiez <=-]™>]

aiusepsi eredeti hozzászólása:

Cookiez, could you either describe precisely what you're talking about, or provide a screenshot of what you're seeing? I have a feeling that what you're describing is not the hardware and software survey, but it's hard to be sure.

Edit: Ninja'd by a Valve employee!

I replied the Valve employee henryg. You can refer to that post.

[<™[-=> Cookiez <=-]™>]

The Milkman Conspiracy eredeti hozzászólása:

OP, just make up your mind about whether you're complaining about the optional survey of Steam noticing when you're in an Origin game and this will be a lot easier for everyone.

Yes, this is the one that I am mentioning. Why does Steam have data about games that are non-Steam associated? Does EA know about this?

[ReBoot]

<™-=> Cookiez <=-™> eredeti hozzászólása:

henryg eredeti hozzászólása:

I do not understand what you're talking about. The hardware survey is a one-time process, it prompts you every time it runs (which for many people is never, or maybe once per install). I think that it is completely unrelated to your initial post.

What precisely are you seeing Steam do that is unexpected? Please describe it fully, and if possible, post a screenshot on an image-hosting service.

I am saying that Steam is able to note whether someone is using the Titanfall Beta

So what? Every program can note what you have installed an in fact, what you run. This is not a privacy issue. The privacy issue arises when this data is sent to Valve which isn't happening without your agreement.

[<™[-=> Cookiez <=-]™>]

ReBoot eredeti hozzászólása:

<™-=> Cookiez <=-™> eredeti hozzászólása:

I am saying that Steam is able to note whether someone is using the Titanfall Beta

So what? Every program can note what you have installed an in fact, what you run. This is not a privacy issue. The privacy issue arises when this data is sent to Valve which isn't happening without your agreement.

Yes, it is. Thank you for reminding about that. What other non-Steam associated software does it read as well? I don't wish to provide my agreement. How do I remove that agreement?

[ReBoot]

<™-=> Cookiez <=-™> eredeti hozzászólása:

ReBoot eredeti hozzászólása:

So what? Every program can note what you have installed an in fact, what you run. This is not a privacy issue. The privacy issue arises when this data is sent to Valve which isn't happening without your agreement.

Yes, it is. Thank you for reminding about that. What other non-Steam associated software does it read as well? I don't wish to provide my agreement. How do I remove that agreement?

Your agreement to what? The information is not beint sent to Valve. What do you want to agree or disagree to?

[<™[-=> Cookiez <=-]™>]

ReBoot eredeti hozzászólása:

<™-=> Cookiez <=-™> eredeti hozzászólása:

Yes, it is. Thank you for reminding about that. What other non-Steam associated software does it read as well? I don't wish to provide my agreement. How do I remove that agreement?

Your agreement to what? The information is not beint sent to Valve. What do you want to agree or disagree to?

Hello, it could READ that I am using Titanfall, a non-Steam associated game. What other information is it reading? How do I know that it doesn't collect that data? Your word?

[ReBoot]

<™-=> Cookiez <=-™> eredeti hozzászólása:

ReBoot eredeti hozzászólása:

Your agreement to what? The information is not beint sent to Valve. What do you want to agree or disagree to?

Hello, it could READ that I am using Titanfall, a non-Steam associated game. What other information is it reading? How do I know that it doesn't collect that data? Your word?

First of all, where exactly did you read that? You could make a screenshot of this message.

[<™[-=> Cookiez <=-]™>]

ReBoot eredeti hozzászólása:

<™-=> Cookiez <=-™> eredeti hozzászólása:

Hello, it could READ that I am using Titanfall, a non-Steam associated game. What other information is it reading? How do I know that it doesn't collect that data? Your word?

First of all, where exactly did you read that? You could make a screenshot of this message.

1. Install Titanfall.
2. Add me.
3. Play Titanfall
4. I will send you screenshot.

[ReBoot]

<™-=> Cookiez <=-™> eredeti hozzászólása:

ReBoot eredeti hozzászólása:

First of all, where exactly did you read that? You could make a screenshot of this message.

1. Install Titanfall.
2. Add me.
3. Play Titanfall
4. I will send you screenshot.

Why should I install Titanfall if it shows something in Steam?

[Silicon Vampire]

I *think* he is talking about the Steam client menu/Help/System Info...

If that is the case, that is the list your OS supplies to Steam. Your OS knows about it and Steam asks for the list of installed software for the purposes stated in this thread. This is not sent anywhere (anonymously, I might add) without your approval.

OP, we are all trying to figure out WHERE you are seeing this?

[<™[-=> Cookiez <=-]™>]

ReBoot eredeti hozzászólása:

<™-=> Cookiez <=-™> eredeti hozzászólása:

1. Install Titanfall.
2. Add me.
3. Play Titanfall
4. I will send you screenshot.

Why should I install Titanfall if it shows something in Steam?

BECAUSE... YOU WANTED PROOF...

[ReBoot]

<™-=> Cookiez <=-™> eredeti hozzászólása:

ReBoot eredeti hozzászólása:

Why should I install Titanfall if it shows something in Steam?

BECAUSE... YOU WANTED PROOF...

And can't just make a screenshot of what you mean why exactly?

[<™[-=> Cookiez <=-]™>]

Silicon Vampire eredeti hozzászólása:

I *think* he is talking about the Steam client menu/Help/System Info...

If that is the case, that is the list your OS supplies to Steam. Your OS knows about it and Steam asks for the list of installed software for the purposes stated in this thread. This is not sent anywhere (anonymously, I might add) without your approval.

OP, we are all trying to figure out WHERE you are seeing this?

No... Steam knows when I am playing Titanfall... Not talking about the list of programs I installed... However, does Steam collect data on any other non-Steam associated game?

[Silicon Vampire]

Cookiez, unless you explain what you are seeing and WHERE you are seeing it, I am going to have to assume you are being purposely obtuse.