"For privacy, Origin is the same as Steam" WRONG!!! -Updated

[Not G. Ivingname]

Lets say EA takes your hardware specs. Then EA uses this information to better refine and update games. Better games right? Isnt that the point?

Worst case scenario is that EA sells this information. What, exactly, is -anyone- going to do with this information? Like seriously.

Someone, please, tell me what the WORST CASE SCENARIO could possibly be if EA found out my Hardware and Software data?

They are not allowed to sell the information, cheak their eula.

So then the problem is a no-problem.

EA stores your information to become a better company; they cant sell it, so this means that they will have better knowledge of what their customers are like.

This is only a good thing

It doesn't have to do with the fact that they do that, it's just the principle that you should be allowed to opt out if you so choose. Personally, I'm getting ME3 for Xbox, so I don't have to bother with Origin.

Principle? Sounds more like you just want a chance to complain on the internet. Its is doing absolutely no harm to you; it could actually have a large benefit. Yet you go against this on Principle?

While you are stuck pissing around with "Principle" ill be playing my Mass effect character that i spent over 60 hours creating, finally finishing the epic story that my character deserves, in the way he deserves it. And at the same time, i would be helping the gaming industry in the long run.

You can sit on your Xbox and complain about "Principles" all you want.

Ill just go and have my fun.

A few more practical concerns. The Playstaion fiasco has proven that these things aren't fool proof, and even Steam had a minor hacking incident. Also, can we know that EA can be trusted to use the info for good. Even though it is a law they can't sell it, the ECLU you have to sign, which states you forgo your right to sue EA (which may or may not be legal, no court case on the matter has yet to come up), so you can't take them to court if they do. They could also use the tool to figure out what percentages of people play from what set ups, figuring out which ones are not worth supporting since not enough of the player base uses it. They may also "donate" it to the government or other entities who may try to use the info to get around those silly "warrants" and "fourth amendment."

EA has never given me any reason to trust them, ever, so why should I blindingly give up all the information I have.

 

[midget_roxx]

Origin - just takes it and you don't know what it is they have collected easily.

It's that simple.

You may say that at the moment the rooting around Origin does, is not very much. But with the precedent set, there is no reason for them not to increase what they do. It is a new system after all.


Edit: Something people are not getting with this. Origin's getting to snoop around your system and communicate what it has found to EA without your say so, is a new paradigm . Up until now every other program has asked if you want to share what has been collected. Even Windows asks if you want to send crash reports with data about your setup, activation only sends a hash. EA are setting a precedent here. It does not matter whether their rooting around is a lot or a little. The line has been crossed and since most seem completely unconcerned with this new way of doing things, other companies will follow. Welcome to the day when every piece of software you install will have a root around your system for the cause of improving their product. And you all allowed it to happen....

It's quite easy to see what files Origin is accessing, Run a process explorer, filter to only origin.exe and everything origin accesses you can see.

As for setting the precendent on sending your information, Apple already sends information off to 3rd party people and you have no opt out either. In fact if you have a smart phone, there's a very high chance that your non so private information is being sent elsewhere

 

[midget_roxx]

Lets say EA takes your hardware specs. Then EA uses this information to better refine and update games. Better games right? Isnt that the point?

Worst case scenario is that EA sells this information. What, exactly, is -anyone- going to do with this information? Like seriously.

Someone, please, tell me what the WORST CASE SCENARIO could possibly be if EA found out my Hardware and Software data?

EA doesn't only grab your Hardware and Software data. Origin has the capability of grabbing exact details (and possibly entire copies) of each and every single file on your computer. Included but not limited to:
-tax documents
-banking statements
-other personal documents stored on computers
-usernames, passwords, and so forth (stored either encrypted or unencrypted in files or the Windows registry)
-detailed MRU (most recently used) file history for your Windows system for most programs that use it including the OS itself, Wordpad, Notepad, etc
-a list of every program you have installed, including torrent software or cd-imaging software, or even whether you're using CD Burner software and how often you ran it and the filenames that you used

Under the current EULA, EA can collect any and all of this information (and more) and have you arrested for POSSIBLE copyright violations as well as simply passing this along to government agencies including the FBI, CIA, NSA, and so forth. The recently-passed 'National Defense Authorization' bill had some really shady wording that already gives them the authority to declare anyone an 'enemy combatant', whether they are a US Citizen or not, and then send them off to Gauntanamo Bay or other spots.

You believe this won't happen? Really?
It'll be funny when it happens to you or someone you know.

Silly Americans, you have no more bill of rights, might wanna get out while you can.

EDIT: To clarify, you can be held legally liable for anything and everything that Origin may or may not find on your computer. This is equivalent to allowing the police the ability to search your home at any time for any reason, rifle through your things, and then leave without a word or without due process or a warrant.

Origin grabs more than software and hardware details? Damn I guess it also grabs your eyes as well!!!! :O
Don't spew false information. No they can't have you arressted for copyright infringement. The reading of tax files was only in Germany and I don't know the full details of that, and by the sounds of things nor do you .

Grabbing encrypted files won't affect you in any way. It's encrypted for a reason, so if someone does grab details they are unreadable

The NDAA wasn't passed recently either. You didn't come across from r/politics did you?

I"m not defending Origin, it is a bad program, but don't seed false information

 

[ph0b0s123]

Origin - just takes it and you don't know what it is they have collected easily.

It's that simple.

You may say that at the moment the rooting around Origin does, is not very much. But with the precedent set, there is no reason for them not to increase what they do. It is a new system after all.


Edit: Something people are not getting with this. Origin's getting to snoop around your system and communicate what it has found to EA without your say so, is a new paradigm . Up until now every other program has asked if you want to share what has been collected. Even Windows asks if you want to send crash reports with data about your setup, activation only sends a hash. EA are setting a precedent here. It does not matter whether their rooting around is a lot or a little. The line has been crossed and since most seem completely unconcerned with this new way of doing things, other companies will follow. Welcome to the day when every piece of software you install will have a root around your system for the cause of improving their product. And you all allowed it to happen....

It's quite easy to see what files Origin is accessing, Run a process explorer, filter to only origin.exe and everything origin accesses you can see.

As for setting the precedent on sending your information, Apple already sends information off to 3rd party people and you have no opt out either. In fact if you have a smart phone, there's a very high chance that your non so private information is being sent elsewhere

I don't give a sh!t how many or what files it is accessing as it should be accessing NONE without me permission.

As has been said to every one else who has said 'oh, this is already been done else where', please post your evidence that Apple collects information about the files on your system without your permission. As far as mobiles, the only one I know about is some programs nicking photos from Android, but that is not expected behavior. But again please backup your statement about phones getting their file systems snooped around and sent out, like Origin does.....

 

[Iandor]

Not sure if any of you has recently been to origin privacy section so I've taken a screenshot of it. http://imageshack.us/f/443/eaoriginprivacysettings.png/
Don't think there's any reason to cry about Origin snooping around your computer against your will now is there....