Originally posted by Chairboy
Is your objection to the fact you're being forced to install the anti-cheating tool? Or that it might take screenshots of your playing when you're suspected of cheating and upload them to the server?
If the invasiveness was outside the game (eg, screenshots of non-gameplay or running when the game was deactivated), I would totally agree, but the scope of this is limited to preventing cheaters who are playing, as far as I can see.
this is likely the part that bothers him. it does me too.
Licensee understands that PunkBuster software inspects and reports information about the computer on
Which it is installed to other connected computers and Licensee agrees to allow PunkBuster
Software to inspect and report such information about the computer on which licensee installs
PunkBuster software.
Licensee understands and agrees that the information that may be
inspected and reported by PunkBuster software includes, but is not limited to, devices and any
files residing on the hard-drive and in the memory of the computer on which PunkBuster
software is installed.
I'm no lawyer but it sounds to me you just gave them free access to your system. anything they want to know about it they can look, and not just send it to the company who you have this agreement with but also "other connected computers". why would they need access to (but not limited to) your whole hard-drive? seems they could still get the job done if they limited their invasion of your system to files that are in use while you are connected to the game.
the wording of this agreement gives them to much access and surrenders more of your privacy than necessary to accomplish their goals.
what would happen if they decided to increase their revenue by writing into their code an access for a data mining company to connect to games in play and harvest info off of the computers while the game is running?
legally would there be anything you could do about it? as I read the form there isn't. you've given permission to check anything on your system and share it with any computer connected to you through their software.
also, as to your last paragraph. the software may only run while the game is playing, but I see nothing in the wording of this agreement that limits they type of data harvested to information relevant to game-play.