EA denies spying on Battlefield 3 Origin users

EA has refuted claims from German gamers that download service Origin - required to play Battlefield 3 on PC - spies on users' computer activity and could potentially break the country's privacy laws.
German Origin users reacted in anger after images surfaced online appearing to show the service accessing external programs and data synced from mobile phones.
Additionally, the Spiegel newspaper printed a list of items from Origin's license agreement it reported could violate German privacy law.
Those items included the right for EA to access other EA products without notifying the user, plus the right for EA and unnamed "partners" to "gather, use, store and transmit technical and related information" on "IP addresses, usage data, software, equipment, software usage and existing hardware peripherals" according to the terms of use and for "marketing purposes".
German Battlefield 3 gamers have responded by returning shop-bought copies of the game and bombing Battlefield 3's Amazon.de user rating, reducing it to one of the worst on the site.
Unusually, German retailers Media Markt and Saturn took the step of refunding used editions of Battlefield 3, even after their PC keys had been redeemed.
EA Germany has now updated Origin's terms of service in response to the furore and issued a statement denying its software was spyware.
"We have updated the End User License Agreement of Origin, in the interests of our players to create more clarity," EA Germany announced in a statement yesterday. "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."
Origin's license agreement matches "industry-standard privacy policies", EA stressed.
But "where necessary, we will of course work together with the relevant Government agencies to ensure that our policies are and remain legally compliant."

We Americans need to follow germans footsteps

Good luck with that, Americans are lazy <- Trustoybro Either way there's more pressing issues here on the HomeFront other than Privacy Battles.

EA broke no laws here in America. Don't be stupid. Germany has some of the strictest laws out there (for a country that isn't 3rd world). CS:S in Germany has it so when an enemy dies, they put their hands behind their heads and lay down. That goes to show how strict they are.

Germany's privacy laws don't allow the collection of any information on anyones computer unless it is strictly based on data flow and not the hardware specifics, hardware specifics are only allowed to be collected when used for a statistical response but EA's TOS for Origin said for "marketing", which is illegal for them.

You won't be able to do shit here in America. EA can take whatever information they want from you as long as it's not anything related to your identity and they don't sell or give any information to another non-affiliated marketing site.

On top of which, that article you have spelled Führer, which pisses me off because that's straight up disrespect to the German people. It's not spelled with a fucking O and an E at the end. If you're going to show us an article on anything, make sure it's one that doesn't have an illiterate dumbass typing it up and spelling shit wrong.

Originally Posted by Lehsyrus

EA broke no laws here in America. Don't be stupid. Germany has some of the strictest laws out there (for a country that isn't 3rd world). CS:S in Germany has it so when an enemy dies, they put their hands behind their heads and lay down. That goes to show how strict they are.

Germany's privacy laws don't allow the collection of any information on anyones computer unless it is strictly based on data flow and not the hardware specifics, hardware specifics are only allowed to be collected when used for a statistical response but EA's TOS for Origin said for "marketing", which is illegal for them.

You won't be able to do shit here in America. EA can take whatever information they want from you as long as it's not anything related to your identity and they don't sell or give any information to another non-affiliated marketing site.

On top of which, that article you have spelled Führer, which pisses me off because that's straight up disrespect to the German people. It's not spelled with a fucking O and an E at the end. If you're going to show us an article on anything, make sure it's one that doesn't have an illiterate dumbass typing it up and spelling shit wrong.

You stupid idiot do your homework before commenting on this subject. And no i didnt write this review i got it from Eurogamer website. Stop being a little bitch **** long as you get the message who cares about the spelling... why dont you go suck a dick...................... youngin!!!!

Cant update thread so here is OLD END USER AGREEMENT
2. Consent to Collection and Use of Data.

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. 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. 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 EA Games - Electronic Arts. 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.

THIS IS THE NEW END USER AGREEMENT
2. Consent to Collection and Use of Data.

EA knows that you care how information about you is collected, used and shared, and we appreciate your trust that we will do so carefully and sensibly. Information about our customers is an important part of our business, and EA would never sell your personally identifiable information to anyone, nor would it ever use spyware or install spyware on users’ machines. We and agents acting on our behalf do not share information that personally identifies you without your consent, except in rare instances where disclosure is required by law or to enforce EA’s legal rights.

In addition to information that you give EA directly, EA collects non-personally identifiable (or anonymous) information for purposes of improving our products and services, providing services to you, facilitating the provision of software updates, dynamically served content and product support as well as communicating with you. The non-personally identifiable information that EA collects includes technical and related information that identifies your computer (including the Internet Protocol Address) and operating system, as well as information about your Application usage (including but not limited to successful installation and/or removal), software, software usage and peripheral hardware. As noted above, this information is gathered periodically for purposes such as improving our products and services, troubleshooting bugs, and otherwise enhancing your user experience.

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 EA Games - Electronic Arts. To the extent that anything in this section conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms of EA’s Privacy Policy, the terms of the Privacy Policy shall control.