Monitored Alarm Systems

Just when you thought no one can be that different levels of DRM madness multiplied by Ubisoft in its unrealistic to end piracy as we know it best, is about something else, that 's bigger and badder than the harassment, the ability to preceded it.

Electronic Arts 'new game service that origin has hidden some disturbing language in their EULA. Rock, Paper, Shotgun notes that play to run Call of Duty 3, or any other game that requires Origin, you 're going to have to dig inside EA will let the computer. Here 's the gory details, especially of Origin' s EULA:

2nd Consent to the collection and use of data.
You agree that EA may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information to your computer (including Internet Protocol) address, operating system (limited, including, but not a successful installation and / or distance) application usage, software , software usage and identify peripheral hardware that can be collected at regular intervals to the provision of software updates, dynamic content, product support and other services to you, including online services. EA may combine this information with personal data for marketing purposes and to improve our products and services. We can also use the data with our external service providers in a form that does not personally identify you. If you do not want to DO COLLECT EA, use, store, or transmit the data described in this section, DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THE APPLICATION. These and all other collected data made available to EA and / or collected by EA in connection with the installation and use of this application, used, stored and transmitted in accordance with EA 's Privacy Policy at www.ea.com away. To the extent that anything decisive in this section conflicts with the provisions of the EA 's Privacy Policy, the terms of the Privacy Policy.

Now that RPS notes is a part of this formulation is not so unusual. Many software companies to collect system data, and several even say that they plan on distributing these to third parties. These include vapor, the EULA states that it:

... Storing information about a user 's hard disk, which is used in connection with online games from Valve products. This includes a unique authorization key or CD key, which are either entered by the user or automatically downloaded during registration. This authorization key is used to identify a user as valid, and access to Valve 's products. Steam your billing information via Steam account, your Internet connection and the Valve software are installed on your computer, uploaded to the server in connection with the use of Steam and Valve Software.

But how RPS has pointed out, there 'is a big difference between Valve' s policy and EA 's policies:

Valve 's policy is self-limited, all on your own PC directly on the products. EA 's is so broad that it allowed the publishers to scan the entire hard disk, and to report absolutely everything you have installed, and in fact, if you can use, and this information then the Third there.

Now, this data collection may be used in a neutral fashion, heading directly back to EA for dissection and analysis. But there are two aspects that are particularly troublesome: A.) the wording in the EULA is very unspecific and B.) you have to "AGREE" to the terms in order to install your purchased software. In other words, before you can even start playing, EA wants to start digging.

It gets even better:

And then creepy, they say they want to take this information, combine it with personal information about you and use it to advertise directly to you. But on the sale of this free-for-all on your computer 's contents, they' ll remove at least personally identifying information. Gosh, thanks.

Maybe you 're thinking to yourself: to dig screw this online delivery system and its unseemly urge in my hard drive and operating system. I 'll just buy off the shelf, thank you very much. Not. Sun Fast.

It seems to us beyond acceptable. And to make so much more seriously now that EA has his intentions clear, delivered so many of their games exclusively on Origin. Was there a choice what you use 'd to Battlefield 3, Mass Effect 3 play, etc, then players could not be in so Origin on their systems, while such a policy exists. But instead, it 'sa case agree to such remarkable concepts or don' t play their games at all.

So it comes down to this: EA wants to know what 's on the hard disk and any other information it may collect your usage habits. Sure, EA has probably alwayswanted this information but now \ It's to decide that you only play as a customer his Games when you give up Their Information. Apparently $ 50 + for a game just isn 't pay enough more.

Update : Looks like all this attention again EA has got a little down. Not completely, mind you. They now say they can still collect the data. Just do not give it marketing partners.

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