Please take a moment to write your congressional representatives and EA. Here is a copy of my congressional letter to use in whole or as a template if you wish to do so:
Electronic Arts Inc. a major US video game publisher is violating it's customers rights to privacy with invasive software and end user licensing agreements that allow EA to scan all of their end user's systems software, store the information, and if that wasn't invasive enough, the agreement also allows EA to share all that information to third party service providers.
The gaming publisher is currently under fire by outraged consumers after a close examination of the End User License Agreement for Origin reveals that it grants EA the right to snoop through desktops and laptops once the user agrees to the following terms:
"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," the agreement reads. "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."
Now here’s the kicker: if EA customers don't agree to the company's snooping and sharing of private data to third parties, then they won't have access to exclusive PC games like Battlefield 3 and Star Wars: The Old Republic. The Origin agreement also doesn't allow the user to opt out at any time after the initial acceptance, meaning that they either must choose to share their personal information indefinitely, or not play EA's exclusive PC games at all.
The 2 above mentioned games will REQUIRE the use of EA's Origin service, and the EULA will subject 14 million+ video game consumers to invasive information privacy violations. Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) and Battlefield 3 (BF3)are the most highly anticipated games in the coming quarter, with SWTOR expected to sell 3 million copies (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/36509/Analyst_Star_Wars_The_Old_Republic_Could_Sell_3M.php) and Cowen & Company are expecting BF3 to sell 11 million copies (http://gamepolitics.com/2011/07/22/analyst-predicts-11-million-sales-battlefield-3-first-year)
Personally, I know more than a dozen people who are planning to buy or have already pre-ordered both SWTOR and BF3. Those who have already committed money and don't wish to have their privacy violated are placed in an unreasonable consumer position...those who are getting the games may not be subject to financial loss, but have a choice to have their rights violated, or succumb to this ridiculous policy by having their systems scanned and their information sold off to other companies.
I have no axe to grind, but I want this policy stopped because it is wrong, and there are 14 million other people out there who need a voice. I hope you will lend yours to this situation as well.
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