Chinese spyware concern

[FreshOffTheBoat]

Hello, Steam company!


I've been a supporter of Steam for a pretty long time, and I've purchased many video games to support indie game developers. But recently, when I use the Steam platform, I started worrying about the spyware from China.

As we all know, Chineses (or the CCP) have stolen the US technologies to make their own products. Furthermore, we can easily see the Chinese games that are straight copy cat games on the Steam market. One of methods they are using to steal US technologies is through spyware. They even modified hardware (i.e. server computer motherboard) to steal important information from the US company. And right now, I have a feeling that there might be Chinese games, which have hidden spyware, on the Steam market.

There are many games that install their own launcher - or require admin permissions to do something (i.e. startup services). This raises me a very important question: Does Steam (the company) have an internal system that verifies/checks if the game has spyware or not? Also, does Steam check if the game collects some information from the victim's computer and sends them to the server in China?

I'd love to see the effort that Steam is trying to find and eliminate games with spyware. And I really hope this message would be delivered to not just forum moderators but also executives of the Steam board.

(if this message gets deleted, I will consider the Steam market is compromised)


Thank you,

with love, BitcoinBTC.

[FreshOffTheBoat]

Publicado originalmente por AustrAlien2010:

Everything you should know is written in the SSA.
https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/
Any other software you may purchase may heve it's own SSA.

There is also a privacy agreement.
https://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/

I guess so - but this is a lazy explanation. I want practical solution for Chinese spyware problems.

[Washell]

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

For example, the recent iOS has new privacy updates so that users can see what's going on behind the app (i.e. collecting clipboard data).

Apple has full control over their ecosystem. Valve does not, and could not without their own client being branded as spyware and overly intrusive. The only way to get peace of mind is by assuming the system is compromised and putting it into a state in your home it can't mess with other devices, should you actually have confidential data.

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

I want practical solution for Chinese spyware problems.

When it comes to PC gaming, there are none. It boils down to budget, it's not commercially viable to spend too much on security beyond the basic and medium stuff.

[nullable]

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

(if this message gets deleted, I will consider the Steam market is compromised)

One can hope then.

[AustrAlien2010]

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

Publicado originalmente por AustrAlien2010:

Everything you should know is written in the SSA.
https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/
Any other software you may purchase may heve it's own SSA.

There is also a privacy agreement.
https://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/

I guess so - but this is a lazy explanation. I want practical solution for Chinese spyware problems.

Is there a problem? I wasn't aware of any problems. But then again, I haven't been around much, I haven't watched the news or anything, or whatever causes this problem, with you.

You only wrote, you had "a feeling"...

[Radene]

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

Publicado originalmente por Radene:

You're pushing way too hard, OP. Go away with your nonsense.

Because I am more concerned about the future of America and humanity than you.

Blah-blah. Quit grandstanding.

[cinedine]

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

I guess so - but this is a lazy explanation. I want practical solution for Chinese spyware problems.

Stay off the internet. Problem solved.
This way you will also avoid the Deep State, the Zionist New World Order, and the Russians spying on you. Did I miss anyone you are concerned about?

[AustrAlien2010]

I suppose you could connect to a server in that region...? For the multiplayer. Is this a problem? You may just as well connect to me, in the same manner. Is it a scary region or something?

[MadBone12]

Publicado originalmente por cinedine:

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

I guess so - but this is a lazy explanation. I want practical solution for Chinese spyware problems.

Stay off the internet. Problem solved.
This way you will also avoid the Deep State, the Zionist New World Order, and the Russians spying on you. Did I miss anyone you are concerned about?

You forgot the Illuminati and the Reptilians.

[Crazy Tiger]

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

Publicado originalmente por Crazy Tiger:

No, you're fearmongering without proof. And you create a false safeguard. Read the discussion lines and see the part about politics being a subject not to discuss on Steam.

If the thread gets deleted, it's because it's against the rules. Not because Steam is "compromised". You're trying to take Steam hostage to "force" them to keep your thread up by adding such a stupid line.

Talking about Chinese spyware is not politics. It's a reality.

It's politics, no matter how you want to twist your narrative.

It's cute you focus on China, cause apparently other countries, like America don't do spyware. Oh wait, the NSA did...

You're being a discriminatory bastard, that's all there really is to it.

[FreshOffTheBoat]

Publicado originalmente por AustrAlien2010:

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

I guess so - but this is a lazy explanation. I want practical solution for Chinese spyware problems.

Is there a problem? I wasn't aware of any problems. But then again, I haven't been around much, I haven't watched the news or anything, or whatever causes this problem, with you.

You only wrote, you had "a feeling"...

Here are facts about Chinese spyware / spy activities:

https://www.theepochtimes.com/tiktok-is-spyware-for-the-chinese-regime-cyber-experts-warn_3429621.html
https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/19/1007425/data-privacy-china-gdpr/
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/china/2020/china-200818-presstv01.htm
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53534941

and more and more coming..!

[FreshOffTheBoat]

Publicado originalmente por Washell:

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

For example, the recent iOS has new privacy updates so that users can see what's going on behind the app (i.e. collecting clipboard data).

Apple has full control over their ecosystem. Valve does not, and could not without their own client being branded as spyware and overly intrusive. The only way to get peace of mind is by assuming the system is compromised and putting it into a state in your home it can't mess with other devices, should you actually have confidential data.

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

I want practical solution for Chinese spyware problems.

When it comes to PC gaming, there are none. It boils down to budget, it's not commercially viable to spend too much on security beyond the basic and medium stuff.

which means, video game consumers should be very aware of Chinese spyware when they play Chinese games. This is a huge problem.

[FreshOffTheBoat]

Publicado originalmente por Radene:

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

Because I am more concerned about the future of America and humanity than you.

Blah-blah. Quit grandstanding.

Triggered snowflakes.

[FreshOffTheBoat]

Publicado originalmente por Crazy Tiger:

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

Talking about Chinese spyware is not politics. It's a reality.

It's politics, no matter how you want to twist your narrative.

It's cute you focus on China, cause apparently other countries, like America don't do spyware. Oh wait, the NSA did...

You're being a discriminatory bastard, that's all there really is to it.

China (the CCP) is oppressing people and harvesting human organs. Does The US do the same thing?

[FreshOffTheBoat]

Publicado originalmente por MadBone12:

Publicado originalmente por cinedine:

Stay off the internet. Problem solved.
This way you will also avoid the Deep State, the Zionist New World Order, and the Russians spying on you. Did I miss anyone you are concerned about?

You forgot the Illuminati and the Reptilians.

Triggered snowflakes.

[cinedine]

Publicado originalmente por FreshOffTheBoat:

Publicado originalmente por AustrAlien2010:

Is there a problem? I wasn't aware of any problems. But then again, I haven't been around much, I haven't watched the news or anything, or whatever causes this problem, with you.

You only wrote, you had "a feeling"...

Here are facts about Chinese spyware / spy activities:

[...]

and more and more coming..!

Yeah great.
The CIA and NSA are spying on others and their own, too.
Israel does so.
Russia does so.
Germany does so.
Uz-♥♥♥♥♥♥♥-bekistan does so.

Conveniently ignoring these facts?