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"...We have taken every precaution to protect the personal and anonymous user data collected."
So they're still collecting personal data. I don't really care, but I can see why people are getting upset. It's their service, they can put whatever they'd like into the EULA--but they're insane if they expect it to go over without *someone* getting upset.
Did they publish a list of exactly what data they're collecting? (out of the loop)
So they're still collecting personal data. I don't really care, but I can see why people are getting upset. It's their service, they can put whatever they'd like into the EULA--but they're insane if they expect it to go over without *someone* getting upset.
Did they publish a list of exactly what data they're collecting? (out of the loop)
Didn't we already see that they are indeed scanning and analysing every program installed on the machine? Going far deeper and collecting more data than Steam does by far? So basically they're admitting that they do it, claiming it's not "spyware" (as any company would, even Sony with the rootkits), and covering their asses by making the EULA more "clear" about what they are doing? Stay classy, EA.
I want to know why Origin should catch a break? In the search for more money EA has created a content distribution program. Then pulls their latest games off of Steam and forces even retail games to use Origin. They create a EULA that uses such broad language as to allow them to look at all the files on your computer. I could stand all this if Origin wasn't a piece of crapware. You can't install to the root of a drive, and even if it doesn't install to your C drive, that's it's default game download and install location till you change it. Can't buy DLC through Origin, has to be in game, and you have to buy bulk points rather than piece wise DLC. It's everything bad about consoles, on my freakin PC.
If this was a Jim Sterling article, this would have exploded into some preposterous discussion about why EA is terrible and why Origin is the devil incarnate.
Thanks for taking the high road Dale and reminding me why you're one of the best writers here.
Thanks for taking the high road Dale and reminding me why you're one of the best writers here.
"Yikes. Origin can't catch a break lately."
I'd like to personally thank you for treating a controversial issue with even-handedness and respect. This could have easily been a JS troll article. It's a breath of fresh air to see someone not include their childishly animated editorial opinions on an issue for once.
For the record, Origin is tripe.
I'd like to personally thank you for treating a controversial issue with even-handedness and respect. This could have easily been a JS troll article. It's a breath of fresh air to see someone not include their childishly animated editorial opinions on an issue for once.
For the record, Origin is tripe.
Here's the kicker in all of this: EA modified the ToS in response to the German concerns, but they didn't actually remove the parts that violate German laws.
http://www.overclock.net/video-game-news/1155275-various-battlefield-3-outrage-germany.html
Sorry for the double post.
Sorry for the double post.
...............If they want to know that I go from porn to Destructoid and then back to porn again they just have to ask nicely!
I'm absolutely loving the sheer mind fuckery of some of these comments directed towards sterling.
"hey dale, thanks for being fair and not saying origins is a bag of shit...
OH ALSO, BEFORE I FORGET, ORIGINS IS ALSO A BAG OF SHIT."
I mean... really? Do you guys even know what the fuck you're trying to say anymore? You're criticizing Jim for actually having the balls to speak his mind about shady business practices, in a medium were companies spend alarming amounts of time and money trying to butter up anyone who may have an honest opinion about their shady fucking business practices. It's not a lack of journalistic integrity when someone opens their mouth and talks about crap like this, its PROOF of journalistic integrity, to actually have the balls to admit it's a bunch of bullshit doing nothing but fucking over customers.
"hey dale, thanks for being fair and not saying origins is a bag of shit...
OH ALSO, BEFORE I FORGET, ORIGINS IS ALSO A BAG OF SHIT."
I mean... really? Do you guys even know what the fuck you're trying to say anymore? You're criticizing Jim for actually having the balls to speak his mind about shady business practices, in a medium were companies spend alarming amounts of time and money trying to butter up anyone who may have an honest opinion about their shady fucking business practices. It's not a lack of journalistic integrity when someone opens their mouth and talks about crap like this, its PROOF of journalistic integrity, to actually have the balls to admit it's a bunch of bullshit doing nothing but fucking over customers.
I'm not using Origin, or any EA games that utilize it until users can see at all times what data is being collected and transmitted. Since EA is shit, it sounds like I'll never be playing BF3 or The Old Republic.
hahah @mix - that's how i feel. If you wanna know, just ask!
For me. Game. Corgi blog. weaboo golf game. corgi blog. work. corgi blog
For me. Game. Corgi blog. weaboo golf game. corgi blog. work. corgi blog
We already knew about EA grabbing personal information. I don't trust EA anymore and I won't be buying there games anymore.
After Battlefield 3 sold 5 million copies, I doubt EA will stop now.
After Battlefield 3 sold 5 million copies, I doubt EA will stop now.
@SephirothX
Thank god somebody else realizes how much of Sterling's articles are filled with incessant whining about everything instead of real content. And thanks Dale for actually bringing us news, not self righteous over-opinionated garbage.
Thank god somebody else realizes how much of Sterling's articles are filled with incessant whining about everything instead of real content. And thanks Dale for actually bringing us news, not self righteous over-opinionated garbage.
@SephirothX
Thank god somebody else realizes how much of Sterling's articles are filled with incessant whining about everything instead of real content. And thanks Dale for actually bringing us news, not self righteous over-opinionated garbage.
Thank god somebody else realizes how much of Sterling's articles are filled with incessant whining about everything instead of real content. And thanks Dale for actually bringing us news, not self righteous over-opinionated garbage.
One of these days I'm just going to WireShark Origin and put all this personal information siphoning bullshit to rest. That would require effort though...
Its a fact that origin is spyware even thought the actual amount of spying is quite low it still takes data without consent. Even if the data is related to origin it doesnt make it not spyware
Good. Screw you EA for your crapware, hopefully this will spill over elsewhere and ruin their reputation.
We don't need the kind of 'competition' that EA can provide...
We don't need the kind of 'competition' that EA can provide...
@Tiq
TL;DR
I think its more telling that several people noticed a difference and that it was so notable to comment on. Moreover these are comments, not news articles. Editorials are more appropriate and palatable in the former than the latter.
TL;DR
I think its more telling that several people noticed a difference and that it was so notable to comment on. Moreover these are comments, not news articles. Editorials are more appropriate and palatable in the former than the latter.
I'm interested in playing this game, but EA really isn't making it easy. I don't want to get the BF 1943-less PS3 version when the PC version is clearly superior (and cheaper), but I don't want to have EA's spyware forced down my throat either, so no BF3 for me, at least for now.
Most people complaining about "privacy" with Origin are probably the same ones that immediately goto Facebook and post some sort of status update not realizing that Facebook laughs at your privacy in ways EA can only dream of.
Fucking dumbasses.
Fucking dumbasses.
By the way, am I the only one who wonders why stories such as this and EA Norway's attempt to manipulate review scores show up on Destructoid but are completely absent from the likes of IGN and Gamespot?
Origin is the only thing preventing me from wanting to buy EA products on PC in the future. I am praying that ME3 doesn't require it, god I hope it doesn't.
@Caim
It's because EA puts their dicks (see: money) into the pockets of anyone they can get to ignore their shady behavior. I have a buddy that works for EA and helped work on Origin. He himself told me not to use it, and that he wouldn't be using it either. It's pretty bad when your own employees don't want to use your software.
At least they aren't totally dicks though. He, like all EA employees get EA games for $30ish. Which is why I got battlefield, an some waffle fries, FO FREE.
It's because EA puts their dicks (see: money) into the pockets of anyone they can get to ignore their shady behavior. I have a buddy that works for EA and helped work on Origin. He himself told me not to use it, and that he wouldn't be using it either. It's pretty bad when your own employees don't want to use your software.
At least they aren't totally dicks though. He, like all EA employees get EA games for $30ish. Which is why I got battlefield, an some waffle fries, FO FREE.
This whole thing is fucking stupid. I don't have mmuch time to explain as I am late for class but here is the gist:
The ONLY THING that origin does when it "spies" on your computer, is it analyzes name, date and time stamps of your program data folder (aka stuff that shows up in your start menu) so it can provide a cache of programs should you want to add a non-origin shortcut into origin. It doesn't do a damn thing other than that. Steam does the exact same thing.
Germans are being completely fucking retarded here, pardon my french. They don't send any private info through their servers either, this whole thing is a bunch of fear monger started by computer illiterate kids who are just looking for a chance to discredit Origin.
Not saying I'm some kind of Origin apologist, I could give a shit - I just use it to play BF3. But this is totally stupid. I'll link a post on a forum that explains the technical details of why everyone is freaking out over nothing later.
The ONLY THING that origin does when it "spies" on your computer, is it analyzes name, date and time stamps of your program data folder (aka stuff that shows up in your start menu) so it can provide a cache of programs should you want to add a non-origin shortcut into origin. It doesn't do a damn thing other than that. Steam does the exact same thing.
Germans are being completely fucking retarded here, pardon my french. They don't send any private info through their servers either, this whole thing is a bunch of fear monger started by computer illiterate kids who are just looking for a chance to discredit Origin.
Not saying I'm some kind of Origin apologist, I could give a shit - I just use it to play BF3. But this is totally stupid. I'll link a post on a forum that explains the technical details of why everyone is freaking out over nothing later.
Lol, zomg, Dale and Jim have different writing styles, so obviously one sucks more than the other!
I like both. Why don't you guys go cry some more or just stop reading the articles you don't like?
I like both. Why don't you guys go cry some more or just stop reading the articles you don't like?
I would strongly consider buying Battlefield 3 if it was on Steam or something. It's not that I consider it a HUGE deal, but it turns a "maybe" into a "probably not."
Wait they are letting Pc copies be returned even if the code is used so they could just return the game get money back and keep on playing ?! brb germany
@Dr-Peace
+1 So much
Competition is nice and all, but so long it's good and healthy. Draconian bullshit like this will only spiral the industry into the abyss.
But I guess it's too late....the voters have spoken....5 million copies sold in the first week and more growing by the day.
I voted with my wallet, by not buying it, but hey, what is one lonely person against the the great tide....
And they called me a conspiracy theorist for calling this... peh. Whatever man.
+1 So much
Competition is nice and all, but so long it's good and healthy. Draconian bullshit like this will only spiral the industry into the abyss.
But I guess it's too late....the voters have spoken....5 million copies sold in the first week and more growing by the day.
I voted with my wallet, by not buying it, but hey, what is one lonely person against the the great tide....
And they called me a conspiracy theorist for calling this... peh. Whatever man.
@nanowerx
Tru Knocking... They also all probably own iDevices, and we should all know how much apple loves to invade your privacy..
Disclaimer,,, this was written on my mac, and I rock BF3 on my PS3...
Tru Knocking... They also all probably own iDevices, and we should all know how much apple loves to invade your privacy..
Disclaimer,,, this was written on my mac, and I rock BF3 on my PS3...
People are surprisingly dense about this subject. First of all, no company, despite anything in the EULA, has any right to access certain personal information. Don't start spouting court cases either, none of them support it I promise. So it's only going to take one enterprising person to save their passwords, credit card details or bank information into a text file on their desktop or something and the second EA accesses it (and we all know there are ways to tell) then that person sues and sues BIG. Even better, save some personal medical information and let it get accessed. That's even more clear cut.
But no, teenagers and rabid basement dwellers want to assume every company on earth is out to destroy their precious privacy despite using Facebook, Twitter, an unsecure phone, and sites such as this without a complaint. I'm not even remotely worried about Origin or any other company abusing my information because I'm a grown ass man with a brain. If you don't like a company, don't use them. That's what the Germans are apparently doing. Don't pirate, don't buy used. Just do not use at all. That's the only power you actually have. Getting on the internet and bitching won't change a thing.
But no, teenagers and rabid basement dwellers want to assume every company on earth is out to destroy their precious privacy despite using Facebook, Twitter, an unsecure phone, and sites such as this without a complaint. I'm not even remotely worried about Origin or any other company abusing my information because I'm a grown ass man with a brain. If you don't like a company, don't use them. That's what the Germans are apparently doing. Don't pirate, don't buy used. Just do not use at all. That's the only power you actually have. Getting on the internet and bitching won't change a thing.
@gorescream
I'm right there with u buddy. I actually really really want this game but I just can't justify the purchase, there's too much tape to get through to get the end result.
Also, they kept out the commander mode from what I heard last, which is lame.
I'm right there with u buddy. I actually really really want this game but I just can't justify the purchase, there's too much tape to get through to get the end result.
Also, they kept out the commander mode from what I heard last, which is lame.
@qlum
You give your consent when you agree to the TOS. Heck, you give away most of your rights when you agree to any software-related TOS, whether it be EA/Origin, Microsoft, Steam, or even some minor indie game/app (assuming it has a TOS).
Most people don't even read a TOS before agreeing. Although that is understandable, as companies create their TOS to both discourage people from reading them as well as to obscure what they are technically required to reveal.
You give your consent when you agree to the TOS. Heck, you give away most of your rights when you agree to any software-related TOS, whether it be EA/Origin, Microsoft, Steam, or even some minor indie game/app (assuming it has a TOS).
Most people don't even read a TOS before agreeing. Although that is understandable, as companies create their TOS to both discourage people from reading them as well as to obscure what they are technically required to reveal.
The way I see it, this is blown out of proportion; The EULA was a bag of crap and was rightfully criticized, but the "scanning" is portrayed much worse then it actually is. It scans your ProgramData folder, but there is no private data contained in there and the respective folders are not scanned for content, qualities or use, nor is this data transmitted, as far as I know.
For the german readers of this site (which includes me), but also to everyone else, these youtube vids might be of interest to you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TAZ-HN9cOk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lGUOFjMuQA
Those videos are in german, though you can probably use google translate on the descriptions to understand what's going on. But the jist is that when executing origin, it checks whether a bunch of other programs are installed on your PC, and perhaps even asks them for simple data. And as a comparison, one of the video's author notes in the comments that Steam stays cleanly within its own folder and doesn't check for any other software or data.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TAZ-HN9cOk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lGUOFjMuQA
Those videos are in german, though you can probably use google translate on the descriptions to understand what's going on. But the jist is that when executing origin, it checks whether a bunch of other programs are installed on your PC, and perhaps even asks them for simple data. And as a comparison, one of the video's author notes in the comments that Steam stays cleanly within its own folder and doesn't check for any other software or data.
Bull SHIT it isn't spyware.
If they're going out of their way to say "It isn't spyware"...Chances are it's spyware.
Fuck EA. Fuck Origin.
Got it on the Xbox.
If they're going out of their way to say "It isn't spyware"...Chances are it's spyware.
Fuck EA. Fuck Origin.
Got it on the Xbox.
Didn't the ToU or EULA also state that agreement waived rights in class action suits?
EA, the company that I love to hate for it's blatent disregard for gamers. The 2012 golf masters on PC comes to mind recently, as does my continues frustration with the NFL license.
EA, the company that I love to hate for it's blatent disregard for gamers. The 2012 golf masters on PC comes to mind recently, as does my continues frustration with the NFL license.
Lol People crying about Jim and he's not even in here! "Thank Gad Jim's not here! Or we wouldn't be the only ones whining about him!" Lolhypocrisy.
@KorJax: Did you ever think that maybe people don't want EA to have any idea what programs are on their computers? Just because you don't mind the intrusiveness doesn't mean everyone else should be okay with it. I highly suggest you educate yourself on biases and fallacies.
@KorJax: Did you ever think that maybe people don't want EA to have any idea what programs are on their computers? Just because you don't mind the intrusiveness doesn't mean everyone else should be okay with it. I highly suggest you educate yourself on biases and fallacies.
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