[Origin] So, I might come off as a complete retard now, but I need some information...

[Substitute Troll]

When Origin first launched I wasn't exactly willing to install it. Anyone who read the TOA knows why. But then they changed it, to not include any information that might identify people or something along those lines, but it's still a bit vague in it's description. (Or I might be stupid)

So basically, to what extent does Origin collect data? Is it at the same level as Steam? Because in that case I'm okay with it. Or does it still include the possibility that my personal information might be sold to Whoever Mc Whoeverton?

Keep in mind, this isn't an argument. This is me asking for facts from those who know what they're talking about. Super raging Steam fanboys/Super raging EA fanboys, kindly leave the thread now. Not even going to indulge you if you troll. Might aswell not bother.

 

[Furtled]

Honest answer: I don't know for sure.

The Origin EULA [http://eacom.s3.amazonaws.com/EULA_Origin_9.16.11.pdf] says:

In addition to information that you give EA directly, EA collects nonpersonally 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 www.ea.com. 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.

The Privacy policy [http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/WEBPRIVACY/US/en/PC/#section4] defines non personal stuff as:

What Types of Non-Personal Information Does EA Collect?

When you use EA online and mobile products and services or you play our games on your PC or game system, we may collect certain non-personally identifiable information for purposes including improving our products and services, troubleshooting bugs, providing services to you, facilitating the provision of software updates, dynamically served content and product support as well as communicating with you. The non-personal information collected may include demographic information including gender, age, zip code, information about your computer, hardware, software, platform, game system, media, mobile device, including unique device IDs or other device identifiers, incident data, Internet Protocol (IP) address, network Media Access Control (MAC) address and connection. We also collect other non-personal information such as username, user ID or persona, feature usage, game play statistics, scores and achievements, user rankings and click paths as well as other data that you may provide in surveys, via your account preferences and online profiles such as friends lists or purchases, for instance. We may also receive either non-personal or public information from third parties in connection with market and demographic studies and/or other data that we use to supplement personal information provided directly by you.

The third party clause is sort of still there but only applies to the non-personal stuff listed above, and I'm not as familiar with Steam so I can't say one way or another if they do the same but there's a thread here [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.338236-Steam-vs-Origin-EULA-privacy-and-whatnot] comparing the two and Valve's privacy policy is here [http://www.valvesoftware.com/privacy.html].

There's a very specific mention to third party data sharing on Origin (emphasis mine) if you buy something on it:

By purchasing from this site, you are providing your personal data to EA in the United States. Your data will be stored in the USA. EA is a member of the Safe Harbor, which provides for the adequate protection of personal data in accordance with the EU data protection laws. Your data may be used by other EA affiliates, but your data is always protected by our global Privacy Policy at http://www.ea.com/global/legal/privacy.jsp [http://www.ea.com/global/legal/privacy.jsp]

Myself I consider a fair amount of stuff in that list as quite personal, and not something I want to share with EA so they can make money off it - other people don't mind. End of the day everyone's idea of privacy varies.

 

[Laughing Man]

When Origin first launched I wasn't exactly willing to install it. Anyone who read the TOA knows why. But then they changed it, to not include any information that might identify people or something along those lines, but it's still a bit vague in it's description. (Or I might be stupid)

So basically, to what extent does Origin collect data? Is it at the same level as Steam? Because in that case I'm okay with it. Or does it still include the possibility that my personal information might be sold to Whoever Mc Whoeverton?

Keep in mind, this isn't an argument. This is me asking for facts from those who know what they're talking about. Super raging Steam fanboys/Super raging EA fanboys, kindly leave the thread now. Not even going to indulge you if you troll. Might aswell not bother.

Easy one, as it is now Origins system process, network access and general system usage sits below anything that Steam does. That's monitoring both of them over a 3 hour period.

Unlike Steam which updates in the background and could, if Valve wanted to suddenly change the details of the EULA in an update without you noticing, Origins update is laughably in your face, if Origin ain't collecting data now then it's going to need un update before it does and Origin doesn't do updates quietly so their is really no excuse for allowing it to free access.

 

[Substitute Troll]

snip

Ok, thanks for the info.
Would you happen to know if Mass Effect 3 and KoA:reckoning require the Origin CLIENT? I'm ok with logging in with my account inside the game, but actually installing the client isn't something I'm comfortable with.

@ Laughing man, I don't get it xD You're defending Origin but then saying that there's no excuse for allowing it free access? Or have I read your post wrong?

 

[Laughing Man]

@ Laughing man, I don't get it xD You're defending Origin but then saying that there's no excuse for allowing it free access? Or have I read your post wrong?

No I am not defending Origin, what I am saying is that the whole issue, which is several months old now, about Origin secretly farming data in the background and then sending it back to EA was massively over blown. Before it became a forced install and no one really knew what it would be doing then speculation about what the EULA allowed was a legit concern.

Now that Origin is here and it is installed on millions of systems no one has any excuse for saying it is farming data, it doesn't or more specifically it doesn't do anything that Steam hasn't been doing for the last 10 years.

On the other hand if you are part of the tin foil hat brigade then it is very possible for you to isolate Origin and only let it do what YOU want it to do, it's a pointless activity but you can do it easily enough.

 

[Furtled]

Ok, thanks for the info. Would you happen to know if Mass Effect 3 and KoA:reckoning require the Origin CLIENT? I'm ok with logging in with my account inside the game, but actually installing the client isn't something I'm comfortable with.

No worries. I don't know about KoA but Mass Effect 3 definitely requires the Origin client be installed and active (but offline for single player) if you want to play.

 

[Hal10k]

snip

Ok, thanks for the info.
Would you happen to know if Mass Effect 3 and KoA:reckoning require the Origin CLIENT? I'm ok with logging in with my account inside the game, but actually installing the client isn't something I'm comfortable with.

Mass Effect 3 requires the client no matter what you do. You can download KoA off of Steam, but if you get a physical copy, you're stuck with Origin.