A storm has been brewing regarding some clauses contained in the End User License Agreement (EULA) of EA’s new Origin digital distribution portal/insidious corporate data snatching malware.
Gamers around the web have been going over the lengthy Origin EULA, and section 2 has raised some serious concerns. EA wants Origin users to consent to collection and use of data in very broad terms. While it’s not uncommon for games and their related platforms to track gaming related data (Steam immediately comes to mind, as it tracks user’s hardware and Steam usage), the Origin EULA appears to be worded so that users are consenting to let EA poke about on every area of their computers. Obviously the privacy implications are tremendous if this is the case.
Some of the more concerning portions of section 2 of the Origin EULA:
You agree that EA may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information that identifies your computer (including the Internet Protocol Address), operating system, Application usage (including but not limited to successful installation and/or removal), software, software usage and peripheral hardware, that may be gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, dynamically served content, product support and other services to you, including online services.
EA may also use this information combined with personal information for marketing purposes and to improve our products and services. We may also share that data with our third party service providers in a form that does not personally identify you.
So at this point it reads as if EA can gather up information on absolutely every app and piece of hardware you use, and there is no real clarity on how far this privacy invasion extends. To top it off, they will sell this information on the third parties for marketing purposes. Don’t forget they will have your details when you signed up for the Origin service. All this wonderful ‘enhanced service’ will be your pleasure to pay for as well, since gamers will require Origin to play upcoming EA titles, such as the highly anticipated Battlefield 3.
The EULA does provide an alternative option however, lovingly laid out in capital letters:
IF YOU DO NOT WANT EA TO COLLECT, USE, STORE, TRANSMIT OR DISPLAY THE DATA DESCRIBED IN
THIS SECTION, PLEASE DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THE APPLICATION.
No Origin equals no Battlefield 3, a rather disheartening decision. Finally, section 2 ends off by stating:
This and all other data provided to EA and/or collected by EA in connection with your installation and use of this Application is collected, used, stored and transmitted in accordance with EA’s Privacy Policy located at www.ea.com. To the extent that anything in this section conflicts with the terms of EA’s Privacy Policy, the terms of the Privacy Policy shall control.
I’m sure the MyGaming readers have some opinions on this clause in the Origin EULA, let us know below and in the MyGaming forum.
EA Origin wants to know your PC, intimately << Comments and views
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