Internet Explodes Over Origin's Invasion of Privacy

[Adultism]

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. So you are saying that this thing can see what websites and what files I have on my PC and can read all my documents? Does Valve do this?

 

[Arafiro]

It physically sickens me that I may be forced to obtain Mass Effect 3 through others means, if they do the same Origin rubbish with that.

Damnit EA. Didn't you learn from Spore that people aren't going to accept you installing spyware?

 

[James Crook]

So I who have already downloaded Origin to play the alpha is pretty much fucked?

Ea has some pretty interesting business models. They make the PC version the best version by a long shot and then they do everything in their might to piss of the customers and destroy their new download service before it's even out of the betaphase.

Ah fuck it, I never thought I'd say this but I'm pre-ordering Modern Warfare 3 instead of Battlefield 3. Player run dedicated servers and steam is enough to make up for a shitty game, even if it's just to prove a point.

Uh, Infinity Ward stripped away the dedicated servers from MW3 again.

 

[yuval152]

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. So you are saying that this thing can see what websites and what files I have on my PC and can read all my documents? Does Valve do this?

EA can also see all of your passwords,credit card number,paypal account,what porn you like and watch,all of your personal stuff,basically everything that's on your PC EA knows about it.And no about Valve.

OT:I might get BF3 for my xbox 360,but it's still a very stupid move from EA.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Said it. Underlined it. Internet took notice at last.

Given Ubisoft as well, can't PEGI or someone bring in someone to check up on these damn things?

But if it's not actually against a law, they can do it if they want yes?

They may incur the wrath of the Internet and God himself but they can still technically do it until a very specific law is passed. And EAs response will be; "Read the ToS, if you don't agree, don't install Origin"

It's the old criminal defence. It's not against the word of the law, but against the spirit of the law. Otherwise we'd have to legalise the honour system.

If you want to go by the word of the law, then Stealing is just downgraded to "Long Term Borrowing With A Right To Return." and Murder is just "Pre-Planned Manslaughter".

(Yeah, this analogy goes right to 11 )

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

Its like holding the gamer to ransom......accept this or you cant play the game. This level of invasion of privacy should be banned. Whats wrong with adding a survey online, you complete it and get something for the game in return? Wouldnt that be better?

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. So you are saying that this thing can see what websites and what files I have on my PC and can read all my documents? Does Valve do this?

Valve doesn't. Bookface does to a degree. That's why the "Like" button was banned in Germany. Bookface reads your information EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T give it permission.

 

[Eliam_Dar]

Well, I wanted o play BF3, but I consider this a bit too much. Origin is not for me.

 

[Doopliss64]

Damn it EA! Every time I check The Escapist there's another thread giving me a new reason NOT to download Origin. WHY ARE YOU TRYING SO HARD TO SCREW OVER BF3? You've already implied that PC is your main audience, and yet you give every reason to only buy the console version, or not at all. At the very least, couldn't you have chosen a different game to promote Origin? (Preferably one that sucks, please.)

 

[Nikolaz72]

What do you say people? I know im a mere internet user but this time, I think we can have a succesfull boycott. We have a reason to Boycott EA's Origin. We can still buy Mass Effect 3 and Battlefield 3 if they come out without the requirement of Origin. But as long as its tied to a program that requires you to agree to spyware it will not get used.

Not by me, not by my friends. And not by those with enough head to understand that even if Origin isnt there yet, this is a far step towards being too much.

 

[JediMB]

And suddenly I realise why I always turn Origin off after using it.

The only reason I don't turn Steam off when I'm not using it is because the Steam chat is the only place my brother is available since he lost his Live Messenger password.

Really, there's no reason to have an application open in the background unless it's actually doing something useful.

I had Origin on to download Mass Effect 2 (at 11 MB/s), and have on occasion started it up to check the store. Hardly enough time for it to magically scan my harddrive and dump all my secrets on EA's servers. *rolls eyes*

 

[Kuroji]

Couldn't you get a hard copy of ME3? Or is that only for the console versions?

I recall reading that all pc titles in the future would require it? It that is the case, I'll be avoiding it.

I did just have a very quick look for some news stating that, and am drawing a blank though.

 

[TimeLord]

Said it. Underlined it. Internet took notice at last.

Given Ubisoft as well, can't PEGI or someone bring in someone to check up on these damn things?

But if it's not actually against a law, they can do it if they want yes?

They may incur the wrath of the Internet and God himself but they can still technically do it until a very specific law is passed. And EAs response will be; "Read the ToS, if you don't agree, don't install Origin"

It's the old criminal defence. It's not against the word of the law, but against the spirit of the law. Otherwise we'd have to legalise the honour system.

If you want to go by the word of the law, then Stealing is just downgraded to "Long Term Borrowing With A Right To Return." and Murder is just "Pre-Planned Manslaughter".

(Yeah, this analogy goes right to 11 )

But stealing (most commonly) involved trespassing onto another's property also, and manslaughter is still a crime. So both are still crimes.
EAs ToS for Origin partly hinged on no-one ever noticing this as no-one usually reads the ToS or TaCs. I know I certainly don't. As much as I hate to actually defend EA, they aren't downgrading anything by basically asking for access to your computer. It's the consumers own fault for saying yes to a question without asking what the question was. Stealing and murder don't involve the questions; "Wuld you like your possessions taken without consent?" Or "Would you like me to end your life?".

 

[GeorgW]

I remember a forum member mentioning this 3 or so days ago, surprised it's only now caught on. Still, it's as horrible now as it was then. I'll get it on console. Also, since I don't live in the UK or US, is there a local place for me to ***** and moan (Sweden)?

 

[TimeLord]

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. So you are saying that this thing can see what websites and what files I have on my PC and can read all my documents? Does Valve do this?

To my knowledge Valve only collects information from your usage of Steam and nothing outside it.

 

[Something Amyss]

How can anyone in their right mind ever defend and support Origin?

People will defend and support much worse in life.

Not saying it's right, just that it is what it is.

 

[AT God]

Someone who is good at computers needs to get an antivirus application that scrambles this information, I would love to be able to send plenty of useless data. I can see most antivirus systems already having a problem with this since it is scanning your computer remotely. And I already preordered BF3, damn.

Its only a matter of time until we are all turned into centipedes.

 

[teisjm]

Question is, will i be able to turn off origin like i do steam, so i only need to open it, while playing BF3?

How i wish games could go back to beeing something you bought, and then owned your copy of the game. No always online for non-online play, playing off of your CD key, instead of having to register for an account, no stupid DRM, not all this bullshit.