So, EA, how much more anger can you wring out of the PC gaming crowd? Well apparently a lot more, because Electronic Arts’ Origin service may actually be just as bad as Spyware because of a number of features that are included without much choice to the user. Originally discovered by Reddit, Destructoid reports that the EULA (End User License Agreement) which you must agree to to install the service, allows EA to snoop around your hard drive and spy on your files.
The terms of service agreement says that EA can not only identify what your computer is, the operating system your using as well your installed/uninstalled software/hardware, but also use this information to pass along to their third party companies for advertising and anything else they see fit. There is no way to avoid this intrusion without completely ignoring Origin, though without it, you will be unable to play Battlefield 3 on PC…
The exact wording in the EULA can be read below:
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 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.
