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[Darkmere]

I ran across this article on Rock Paper Shotgun, search didn't turn up anything posted here about it.

Story here.

Sooooo... smouldering rage? Discuss.

Edit: tl;dr for article:

It's a Steam-like service/DRM from EA that, by installing, you agree to let them scan the entire contents of your PC and sell that (along with identifying information about your system and all the scanned information) to third-party entities.

[enigma74]

It seems some of the comments in the RPS thread are arguing FOR this insane Origin EULA.  It's astounding how much trust people can place in corporate entities.

Unless they're just corporate shills, which I suspect is the case.

[Mephansteras]

Seriously EA?

Sheesh.

[jocan2003]

Sheshh come on seriously what the hell is that? Either let me have access to your computer or dont play our game o.O, Want my short color? What i ate yesterday? how often i work with that? If you want info make survey, else get access to YOUR product why the hell do you want to know if i have x program instal and using Y program, to make even more money telling other company how many EA player use X-Y program? GET THE FUCK OUT GREEDY SHIT.

More it goes more i feel like making bombs, wish somebody would teach these white shit collar there is COMMON SENSE limits they cannot breach.

[Glowcat]

Corporations, constantly abusing trade at every opportunity. Want to purchase a game from us? Well not only must you give us money for the product, but you must also let us install cameras in your home and stick this "Owned by EA" tag on your forehead. Why are you angry? Don't you WANT to be owned by us? Bah! Filthy ingrates!

[Neonivek]

Corporations, constantly abusing trade at every opportunity. Want to purchase a game from us? Well not only must you give us money for the product, but you must also let us install cameras in your home and stick this "Owned by EA" tag on your forehead. Why are you angry? Don't you WANT to be owned by us? Bah! Filthy ingrates!

Yeah honestly it is what I consider the major difference between buying a car and buying a game.

When you buy a car you sign a contract and THEN pay for it.

When you buy a game you essentially, as far as the companies are concerned, you buy a contract and you don't get your money back if you refuse to sign it.

[Levi]

I wouldn't be surprised if steam had some pretty terrible terms of service as well to be honest.  We probably just don't hear of them as much because most people like Valve.

I did find this from a quick search:  http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/fk6m3/concerns_about_the_steam_subscriber_agreement/

[Darkmere]

I wouldn't be surprised if steam had some pretty terrible terms of service as well to be honest.  We probably just don't hear of them as much because most people like Valve.

I did find this from a quick search:  http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/fk6m3/concerns_about_the_steam_subscriber_agreement/

Honestly that kinda stuff is pretty standard ass-covering in case of odd lawsuits and the like. Unusual circumstances notwithstanding, I'm generally pretty satisfied with how Steam handles data gathering (they ask, and you can say no).

That's quite a bit different than trying to force datamining onto gamers through fine print.

[dennislp3]

I hope this is for there own advertising purposes (IE gather what everyone has to enhance targeted advertisements) but even that's a bit beyond excessive...

I think its damn absurd...

[cameron]

Steam does scan for your software as well as your hardware, saying that steam only scans for related programs is rather misleading unless you consider word related to games.

I'd hope there would be some way to get out of EA's data gathering the same way there is in steam though obviously it would be preferable to avoid having that sort of thing there in the first place though.

I think the main thing is that it is rather easy to point to similarities to what is in place in steam and google (ad tailoring) and so I doubt there will be much changed about the system.

[G-Flex]

Steam does scan for your software as well as your hardware, saying that steam only scans for related programs is rather misleading unless you consider word related to games.

I thought this was a completely opt-in service, or at least opt-out.

[cameron]

I'd hope there would be some way to get out of EA's data gathering the same way there is in steam

so yes it is opt outable. The thing is, is that if EA's thing turns out to also be opt outable than it really is not much more intrusive than what valve and others are already doing.

[Sensei]

I wouldn't be surprised if steam had some pretty terrible terms of service as well to be honest.  We probably just don't hear of them as much because most people like Valve.

Hey guys, I read the entire thing! If you're interested in Steam's EULA, you'll probably enjoy that post. I think I caught everything objectionable.

[Lightning4]

Nothing actually in Steam's ToS about it, you have to go off to the Privacy Policy instead.

http://www.valvesoftware.com/privacy.html

Unfortunately Steam's Privacy Policy is pretty vague on the matter. What information they collect is vague, and how they collect it is somewhat vague too. Personal information is voluntary, they only have what you've given them, but that's pretty much the extent of that.
They don't explicitly state they go rooting around like Origin's does, so there's that.

Though, you can go to Steam>Help>System Information and find a list of installed applications along with the system data. Whether Steam sends this information to their servers though, I haven't a clue.

[dragonshardz]

Hey guys.

EA Origin vs. Steam. Round One: FIGHT!

We already have an Origin thread.

EDIT TO ALLEVIATE SOUNDING LIKE A DOUCHE:

As an aside, this is yet another reason to not install Origin. Ever.

Dear EA,

FUCK.

YOU.

Sincerely,
Gamers Everywhere