Guild Wars 2 distributed spyware in order to detect cheaters

Re:Guild Wars 2 distributed spyware in order to detect cheaters by Raphmedia on Monday April 16, 2018 @01:17PM (#16850763)

That's a shame.

I liked how GW2 was free forever after the initial purchase. I would come back every now and then to check out the new content.

Sadly, I don't keep any spyware on my computer. No exception. Even if I love the game, that's an instant uninstall for me.

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Re:Guild Wars 2 distributed spyware in order to detect cheaters by jamesgeck0 on Monday April 16, 2018 @03:07PM (#16851787)

For consistency, you should uninstall Steam VAC and Battle.net games. I'm pretty sure Fortnite and League of Legends also do something similar.

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Re:Guild Wars 2 distributed spyware in order to detect cheaters by Raphmedia on Monday April 16, 2018 @03:29PM (#16851955)

Steam is a game library manager. It manages all 300+ games that I have purchased. I expect it to be scanning my computer entire computer.

They even told me so when I installed it: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7849-RAD...

This is not spyware, this is a platform I chose out of trust.

Guild War 2's spyware is exactly that, a spyware. I never agreed to it, or if I did it was out of some legal black pattern.

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Re:Guild Wars 2 distributed spyware in order to detect cheaters by nickspacek on Monday April 16, 2018 @03:34PM (#16851995)

While I understand this sentiment, I think saying that you expect it to be scanning your entire computer is a bit of hyperbole. You expect it to be scanning your temporary internet files? Or DNS cache? Or your personal documents and pictures? I would expect those to be off-limits to a game library manager.

If you are saying that Steam was very upfront with its anti-cheat measures and that you agreed to it then so be it.

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Re:Guild Wars 2 distributed spyware in order to detect cheaters by Raphmedia on Monday April 16, 2018 @05:29PM (#16852960)

Steam provides a platform for a lot of developers and allows them to leverage the VAC. It's existence is improving our privacy. Instead of having each individual games try and scan our computers, they can call the VAC and request for the status of users.[1] When a game has a third party anti-cheat system, you can often choose to opt-out on install/launch and it simply cuts off online features.

This is one of the multiple reasons I don't mind Steam's scans. They are doing it on the behalf of thousands of games.

When people are worried about their privacy due to the VAC, they are quick to respond. Even better, they don't simply throw a legal team at the community but take the time to address fears and trust issues. [2]

I am not saying that Valve is perfect. They might mess up in the future. But so far, they have yet to breach my trust.

[1] https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/anticheat/vac_in...

[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/1y70ej/valve_vac_an...

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Re:Guild Wars 2 distributed spyware in order to detect cheaters by jasonkostempski on Monday April 16, 2018 @02:00PM (#16851191)

Too bad they got your money already :/ I had to take the same action, for the same reason, with Windows 10. Though, in my case, there was a far superior alternative. Not sure you'll be as lucky with GW2.

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