EA's Origin digital service contains spyware-like elements after some "digging" in the EULA service terms reveals EA is requiring all users to consent to any data EA wants and EA will be selling the data to third party companies.
The terms include a clause automatically triggering consent to be given once the Origin application is installed and unlike other digital services, the stuff EA is requesting includes non-Origin related information.
While Valve usually informs users what info the company asks for part of its annual status report such as O.S. used and games played, EA's service doesn't specify exactly what will be searched but does state the entire computer of a user will be searched for info.
The terms also hint the only way to opt-out is to completely uninstall the service and lose out on access to any Origin-only or games bought on the service.
Quote:
Once again reminding us all that we really ought to be reading these terms of service that we so often blindly agree to, intrepid users of Origin have discovered within EA's End User License Agreement for the service that, by installing the software on the system and using it, you are giving EA full license to track a number of different things on your computer, including, but not limited to personal information, computer information, application usage, software, software usage, and peripheral hardware usage. The reason for all of this is for the usual "marketing purposes" and "to improve our products and services" nonsense, but the EULA also states that EA will happily sell your information to any third parties it sees fit.
It's fair to point out that Valve's Steam service also does some of the things listed here when you use it. However, the trick is that Steam allows users to opt out of any and all such practices. Origin has no such opt-out feature, and in fact states that you cannot use the service at all unless you agree to their terms.
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http://www.giantbomb.com/news/eas-or...ins-eula/3616/
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Quick News Round-Up:
1) Sony announces it will be rebooting and overhauling the entire Playstation Home program with the main goal to replace the current setup into a more game-like Hub. The majority of non-gaming actitivies are set to be removed while dropping its current status as a hub for other games.
2) Sega reveals Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown will be a download-only title for PSN and XBLA and is set to be released in the summer of 2012. The game is based on last year's arcade version in Japan and will have updated tweaks and balances for the console ports.
3) Warner Bros confirms the Mortal Kombat HD Arcade Kollection will have a August 30 release date for PSN and August 31 date for XBLA and PC. The collection is being sold for $9.99 (800 MS points) and will include onlone play, leaderboards, and achievements/trophies.