A large segment of gamers hate cheaters with such a passion that nearly any measure is justified in fighting them. It's quite possibly even the majority of gamers. The reality is that Arenanet is not going to see a large backlash from this. A minor course-correction is all that the gaming community is going to demand from them.

I count myself among the group I believe you're alluding to, though not as you've described it. If I'm spending my time playing a game, I don't want to waste queuing time only to discover that I've been placed in an unplayable match because someone is cheating. When this becomes prevalent (always seeing a cheater if you play > 1 hr), I'll quit the game, because it's taking the fun out of it for me, and potentially giving satisfaction to cheaters, which I'd rather avoid.

So I'd appreciate a warning that I'm being spied on, and perhaps a description of ways they're avoiding sensitive data. But the game I'm going to quit is the one where I can't get away from cheaters: not the one where the game makers are being overzealous in watching for them.

I apologize for the negative tone. I should have tried to make my point more neutrally, with less exaggeration. I have major complaints with how single-player games have been given minor online integrations that have justified locking them down completely in the name of anti-cheat. It has left me a little jaded.

But, that's neither here nor there. Regardless of my personal feelings, the average gamer agrees with you. Arenanet had pure intentions. They were trying to fulfill the wishes of their fans, so the mistake in how they rolled this out will be forgiven.

sounds like how politicians act, exploit anger to get what you want all the while convincing others its good for them.

however with all the talk about privacy it never ceases to amaze me how fast people will give it up if they get what they want or worse, if something bad or inconveniencing happens to people they don't like. what does that say about society when people will give up something just to punish or deprive others.

> what does that say about society when people will give up something just to punish or deprive others.

There's literally zero point to competitive online gaming if cheaters run rampant, you might as well not bother. Of course people interested in competitive online gaming support countermeasures.

> what does that say about society when people will give up something just to punish or deprive others.

I also believe in a police force and laws. Giving up my ability to rob without legal consequences in order punish and deprive others.

I'm not to convinced that says many bad things about me though.

Nobody invested in a competitive game is going to want cheaters running rampant.