steam survey privacy problems

[norseamd]

so steam just sent out a hardware and software survey

they ask what type of internet connection you have and the speed. they also ask if you have a microphone connected to your computer. then they have an automatic collection of information about your computer. at first it might seem just hardware but if you look closely not only is the hardware information very detailed but it also collects the software programs you have installed. all of them.

does this not infringe on privacy issues?

why does steam need to know if i have circle of 8 modpack or winrar or malwarebytes installed?

 

[ImpulsE69]

Because Facebook bought them yesterday for $10 billion

 

[dighn]

so you got something to hide?

j/k. i almost submitted a survey until i realized it collected more information than i wanted to share.

 

[JujuFish]

does this not infringe on privacy issues?

I'll have some of whatever you're smoking if you think a survey that you have to explicitly allow is infringing upon your privacy.

 

[z1ggy]

I'll have some of whatever you're smoking if you think a survey that you have to explicitly allow is infringing upon your privacy.

This reminds me of a certain South Park episode...

"sSoooo Sorrrryy KyyyYyrrRrrreee!!"

 

[lxskllr]

You're using proprietary software. Answering a voluntary survey is the least of your problems ;^)

 

[KidNiki1]

http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey

Steam conducts a monthly survey to collect data about what kinds of computer hardware and software our customers are using. Participation in the survey is optional, and anonymous. The information gathered is incredibly helpful to us as we make decisions about what kinds of technology investments to make and products to offer.

Participation in the survey is optional
Participation in the survey is optional


Participation in the survey is optional

optional

so, no, it doesn't, you dumbass.

 

[mnewsham]

Just opt out if you dont want your info collected, it has been a choice ever since I joined steam like 6 years ago.

 

[Ichinisan]

That survey sounds like it hasn't changed for years.

 

[Soundmanred]

It's too early for this level of dumb.

 

[JTsyo]

That survey sounds like it hasn't changed for years.

What do you mean? It doesn't ask you questions, it scans your hardware/software itself.

 

[Ichinisan]

What do you mean? It doesn't ask you questions, it scans your hardware/software itself.

I've had Steam since the start (Half Life 2) and it sounds like the exact same analysis it has always done on every system where I've ever installed it.

Even the bit about the microphone and Internet speed has been there, like, forever.

I usually opt-in.

 

[Imp]

I don't remember them asking for software.

 

[Rebel44]

I don't remember them asking for software.

They added this part several (3-4?) years ago.

 

[KeithTalent]

Pretty sure it's optional or was Gabe sitting on your chest forcing you to give him your information?

KT

 

[norseamd]

and no i declined

so most people will not read the terms and steam knows this. the fact that the software scanned is way down there when there is no indication that steam will scan everything is deceptive.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Pretty sure it's optional or was Gabe sitting on your chest forcing you to give him your information?

KT

Gabe does not sit on chests.
Gabe sits on laps.

 

[KeithTalent]

Gabe does not sit on chests.
Gabe sits on laps.

Oh I meant to say shitting. Sorry about that.

KT

 

[BurnItDwn]

Oh I meant to say shitting. Sorry about that.

KT

How awkward that would be ... I'd think that as soon as Gabe started to take off his pants more people would flee, unless they were into that sort of thing....

 

[norseamd]

so am i hallucinating or does gabe look like sometimes he is about to have a heart attack? his face is all pale and shit

he needs to get in better shape and lose weight and eat more good food

 

[norseamd]

so you got something to hide? j/k. i almost submitted a survey until i realized it collected more information than i wanted to share.

yah i was actually willing to give them information on what hardware i had

software like drivers and utilities like fraps would have been okay

 

[Ichinisan]

yah i was actually willing to give them information on what hardware i had

software like drivers and utilities like fraps would have been okay

I can't think of any installed software I would want to hide...even if the collected information wasn't anonymous (I think it's supposedly anonymous).

What are you hiding?

 

[RampantAndroid]

yah i was actually willing to give them information on what hardware i had

software like drivers and utilities like fraps would have been okay

They make it anonymous. It just increments a counter of how many people have a program installed. It isn't collecting actual file names or file contents.