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EA’s Origin is snooping at what programs you’re running

EA might not have been this year's most hated company, but it looks like it might be gearing up to win next time around, as some redditors have discovered what appears to be covert snooping by the company's Origin client, as it looks through programs you've been running recently.

EA has released a statement on the matter, with a spokesperson making it clear that there's no intentional spying going on and that they will look into the matter: “Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I’ve been working with our live operations team to fully investigate this issue. Origin is not spyware, and there should be no privacy snooping operations of any type. I hope we will be able to update you guys on the investigation soon, we’re gonna get to the bottom of this……Please message me any additional details or info that will help us investigate. We take claims like this very seriously.”

snoop
For clarification, EA didn't “garble,” anything, that's the Windows Registry doing that

Of course though, it's only fair to play Devil's Advocate in this situation. There's not a lot of data behind hoovered up beyond times that software was opened and when it was installed. This could be simple research by EA into what types of products people like to use or what game franchises other than its own are popular. EA also makes clear in its terms of service, that it reserves the right to collect information on Origin users, so it's not doing anything illegal.

KitGuru Says: I think we all imagined EA would be hoovering up some data on its user base, which is why some people choose not to install Origin in the first place. The question is, will you continue to have it installed now that you know for sure? 

[Thanks WCCFT]

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14 comments

  1. what now is EA working with NSA ?

  2. nah NSA coulnd’t afford all the DLCs EA was offering them, such as Spyware Premium Deluxe Poop Squad Edition.

  3. ^ you sir need a medal

  4. You sir win the interwebz 😀

  5. lol , but what would EA even do with such data?

  6. Use it to find out the next half finished game to release.
    What else

  7. lol EA can do this.. but cant fix there horrible game. with horrible CS.. sigh

  8. lol wow makes sense

  9. even if it took them so little effort in integrate this program, that energy could have been spent fixing or doing something useful.

  10. People are so quick to judge, Steam does similar, as does Facebook with your cookies and any saved data in Temporary Internet Files. Origin is looking for anything it deems would go against Origin itself, like well known hacks being used on Titanfall etc. The Encryption of file names is to throw off the naughty people thinking they might be caught so they continue to use and ultimately get banned etc.

  11. Give it 10 15 more years and then you will know true big data analytics monitoring and measuring everything we do and say all day everyday from the time we wake till we go to sleep and the whole time your asleep as well. The move has already started and it’s only the beginning. Data centers will be going up like Wallmarts and Starbucks and that my friends is what’s going to make the price of energy skyrocket. Sorry I won’t be around to see how it plays out.
    Greed and corporation against the poor and misguided youth. Wake up America it’s time to take are government back and get business and corporate Money out of politics all together and return this grand nation of in breads and retards that don’t even vote there own Fucking social standing back into the number one country in every good category there is. Instead of catering to the rich and wealthiest 5-10% of us. End RANT!

  12. Ya but its EA.

  13. Chris Zalgo Tazz

    EA is part of the entertainment section of the NSA. Been there for years. They know when you AFK and go to the toilet, go to the fridge, go to work, they just know…

  14. Hate EA sorta.
    this adds up.
    always avoided Orign, as much as i can speak for future. always will.