It seems that German gamers are returning copies of Battlefield 3 to stores. They're concerned that required download software Origin enables EA to spy on users' activities. Eurogamer reports that German retailers Media Markt and Saturn are refunding used editions of Battlefield 3, even after their PC keys had been redeemed.
Things blew up when images surfaced online that appeared to show Origin accessing external programs and synched mobile phone data. The matter only worsened for EA after a newspaper ran a list of items from Origin's license agreement that they said could violate German privacy law.
EA Germany has issued a response:
"We have updated the End User License Agreement of Origin, in the interests of our players to create more clarity. Origin is not spyware. Neither do we use nor install spyware on the PCs of users."
"We do not have access to information such as pictures, documents or personal data, which have nothing to do with the execution of the Origin program on the system of the player, neither will they be collected by us. EA takes the privacy of its users very seriously. We have taken every precaution to protect the personal and anonymous user data collected."
Yikes. Origin can't catch a break lately.
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Contest:
11:15 AM on 11.01.2011 | 
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)
Thanks for taking the high road Dale and reminding me why you're one of the best writers here.
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.
Sorry for the double post.
"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.
For me. Game. Corgi blog. weaboo golf game. corgi blog. work. corgi blog
After Battlefield 3 sold 5 million copies, I doubt EA will stop now.
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.
We don't need the kind of 'competition' that EA can provide...
fu EA, destroyer of dreams.
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.
Fucking dumbasses.
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.
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.
I like both. Why don't you guys go cry some more or just stop reading the articles you don't like?
+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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.