Ubisoft Accused of Collecting Private Data in Games
Ubisoft, the name behind giant franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, is at the center of a new scandal. Austria-based data protection authority Noyb has filed a formal complaint claiming that the company is collecting data without players’ consent. The requirement for an internet connection, especially in single-player games, and the recording of user data through this, is accused of being against the European Union’s GDPR laws.
Ubisoft Allegedly Collects Data Even in Single-Player Games
According to the statement made by Noyb, Ubisoft forces users to be online even in games that do not require an internet connection. Thanks to this requirement, data such as game opening times, playing times, and game closing times are systematically recorded. Moreover, it is alleged that Ubisoft has not provided a satisfactory explanation even when users explicitly requested information about this data collection process.
According to Article 6(1) of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a company must have a valid legal basis to process personal data. Noyb, however, claims that Ubisoft has not provided such a legal basis to collect this data. The lawyers say that this not only violates user privacy, but also misleads users about the true nature of the product.
If Noyb’s complaint is successful, Ubisoft could face a massive fine of around €92 million (approximately $104 million). The complaint also demands that all personal data collected without a valid legal basis be deleted. This could mean that Ubisoft will make drastic changes to its data management policies.
The company has not yet made an official statement. However, with data protection laws in Europe becoming increasingly stricter, it is expected that Ubisoft will take the complaint seriously. In light of the developments, it seems inevitable that users will demand a more transparent approach to data privacy and that stricter regulations will be put in place against such practices in the gaming industry. It is a matter of great curiosity how Ubisoft will respond to these serious allegations in the coming days.
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