Block Game Publishers that Harvest your data through revised Launcher Terms of Service

[BoyledOats]

Hi, I have recently had to 'Agree' the revised terms of use by different games companies/publishers that are pushing new these revised terms of service/use via the Steam launcher for their game. There is no opt-out and when you read the fine print it turns out they are harvesting all your gameplay data and metrics, like hours of use, games played, even some personal info. I always thought this was protected by EUDP law but it turns out they can revise it whatever way they want and you are left with an 'Agree' or dont play the game, even on games you have had for 5-6 years. Civilizations 6 is a good example.

Now when i buy a game I check internet threads to see if these publishers are doing the same and if they are I wont buy the game out of principle. A good example is Crusader Kinds 3. It would be helpful if we could be told prior to purchasing these games if we have an opt-out on the terms of service/use when they are harvesting our personal data. Is this something Steam can implement? All you would have to do is check the corresponding launchers for these games!

Before some of you start saying 'why do you care', I care because they are completely flaunting EUDP regulations and if this continues they will do what they want in 10-15 years time. Its the principle of the matter. We have to draw a line somewhere. For me, that means not buying from these game companies, but would like the ability to know this from the game page, rather than having to google if they are abusing data protection laws with these revised 'terms of service'.

[Mad Scientist]

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

yeah and the color you like, then what cookies you have what search terms you used, then a week later you go in game and someone suggests a champion in game that looks exactly like your prized waifu.... yeah i have seen a lot more than you think.

and a list of hardware can also be a list of flaws to be used as attack vectors.

Knowing hardware doesn't mean people will know the software to attack.

If you want to know the sort of stuff collected, look at the optional hardware survey as an example.

Other games use gameplay statistics

[LoveAndPeace]

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

yeah and the color you like, then what cookies you have what search terms you used, then a week later you go in game and someone suggests a champion in game that looks exactly like your prized waifu.... yeah i have seen a lot more than you think.

Except none of that.

discord started off as "we don't harvest anything, your data is safe" and now it clearly states.

they harvest data for their services... not service.
services

and if you don't agree the application closes.

What do they harvest? EVERYTHING.

animated avatars were a unexpected feature.. they later turned into cash.
taking it away from users that knew it could be done already.

[LoveAndPeace]

League of legends can actually go as far as SYNCING to the music you are currently playing, know how i know this? because i have seen them do it repeatedly and it requires you to participate in the dance.

[Boblin the Goblin]

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

League of legends can actually go as far as SYNCING to the music you are currently playing, know how i know this? because i have seen them do it repeatedly and it requires you to participate in the dance.

No it doesn't.

[LoveAndPeace]

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

League of legends can actually go as far as SYNCING to the music you are currently playing, know how i know this? because i have seen them do it repeatedly and it requires you to participate in the dance.

No it doesn't.

it can... you have no idea and not by coincidence.

[Boblin the Goblin]

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

No it doesn't.

it can... you have no idea.

It can't.

What you're describing would literally get a company obliterated by government agencies.

[LoveAndPeace]

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

it can... you have no idea.

It can't.

What you're describing would literally get a company obliterated by government agencies.

it can, it has and i have seen it.
i played for 15 years and loved the game.

[Boblin the Goblin]

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

It can't.

What you're describing would literally get a company obliterated by government agencies.

it can, it has and i have seen it.
i played for 15 years and loved the game.

That's what you thought you saw.

[LoveAndPeace]

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

it can, it has and i have seen it.
i played for 15 years and loved the game.

That's what you thought you saw.

that's what you think happened... i know what i saw.
and people go to great length to silence a person that knows.
i have no reason to lie.

[Boblin the Goblin]

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

That's what you thought you saw.

that's what you think happened... i know what i saw.
and people go to great length to silence a person that knows.
i have no reason to lie.

You believe you saw that. Doesn't mean it happened.

[LoveAndPeace]

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

that's what you think happened... i know what i saw.
and people go to great length to silence a person that knows.
i have no reason to lie.

You believe you saw that. Doesn't mean it happened.

No i believe you have no idea what you are talking about, what do i have to gain here?
nothing... absolutely nothing.
unless you are here to cover it up like they did, why disagree?
you have no idea of the depth.

ever heard of a click track? well it's a track drummers use to decide when to play what.
keeps the timing on par.

[Boblin the Goblin]

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

You believe you saw that. Doesn't mean it happened.

No i believe you have no idea what you are talking about, what do i have to gain here?
nothing... absolutely nothing.
unless you are here to cover it up like they did, why disagree?
you have no idea of the depth.

ever heard of a click track? well it's a track drummers use to decide when to play what.
keeps the timing on par.

There doesn't have to be a gain to believe in things that didn't happen.

[LoveAndPeace]

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

Nguyên văn bởi LoveAndPeace:

No i believe you have no idea what you are talking about, what do i have to gain here?
nothing... absolutely nothing.
unless you are here to cover it up like they did, why disagree?
you have no idea of the depth.

ever heard of a click track? well it's a track drummers use to decide when to play what.
keeps the timing on par.

There doesn't have to be a gain to believe in things that didn't happen.

well i don't care if you don't believe it, because that changes nothing.
i just don't care if you don't.
doesn't matter to me.

i will never install that game again.. never.
And i will never use discord again... never.

[LoveAndPeace]

and when it happens you will hit that record button and one of 3 things will happen.
1. it wont work
2. the file wont exist
3. it will stop right away.

i don't care if you don't believe me.
they learn enough about you to mess with your head and life.

[William Shakesman]

Nguyên văn bởi RiO:

Nguyên văn bởi Boblin the Goblin:

If the game has a separate EULA, there is a yellow disclosure stating so. It even links the EULA for anyone to read before purchasing.

The main topic is the terms of service and the EULA being changed after purchase has already happened, to sneak in a launcher and/or gear up on more telemetry; behavioral analysis; etc. holding your existing purchase to ransom until you declare you accept the revised t&c.

Nguyên văn bởi Crazy Tiger:

EUDP? What has the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program to do with this?

"EUDP regulations" - applying a bit of correction to poor spacing: "EU DP regulations," aka EU Data Protection regulations. (Which includes but is not limited to the GDPR.)

Pretty much. EULAs can be freely changed by the developer after release to say anything with no recourse to the customer except "Well now you cannot use the product you purchased then if you don't agree. No refunds lol." so there's not much value in reading them beforehand. There is nothing in the EULA that constrains the company or benefits the customer and if there were, the company could simply edit that out. OP himself mentions multiple examples of post hoc EULA modifications. Reading a EULA before purchasing a game is of minimal value and would not have helped OP in the slightest.