The Importance of Understanding Online Privacy and Data Sharing in Gaming

It’s no secret that every big company wants their customers’ information, and gaming is no exception. It’s very common for video games, especially mobile games, to ask players to share their gameplay data for “analysis purposes.”

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Many people accept these requests without knowing the risks they could be facing. That’s why it’s important to understand what companies do with this data and how to limit their access.

What Is Data Collection, And What Information Is Gathered?

Many companies hide processes in their games to get data from players and send it to their servers. These processes usually run in the background of the console, phone or computer, so they go completely unnoticed.

Every game company can collect different information depending on the type of game. For example, single-player titles might look for gameplay behaviour or progress. Online games tend to gather purchase information.

Companies must always notify or ask the player to collect their data. If a developer is caught gathering information without authorization, they could easily face a multi-million penalty like Epic Games in 2022.

Also, if the customer wants, they can opt for data broker removal service s to destroy the data or prevent websites from registering it.

What Do Companies Do With Player Data?

Game companies use players’ data to determine their behaviour and favourite game features. Said information can help developers understand what to add, improve, or remove in other games.

Data gathering can also be used to detect abnormal behaviour. For example, players use cheats to gain an unfair advantage or bugs that affect the normal gameplay.

However, some companies can also use data to push intrusive advertising and monetization schemes. In some cases, they might even sell the information to third parties.

Managing Your Online Gaming Privacy

The best way to keep companies away from personal data is to remain offline. Unfortunately, most modern consoles or OS require an internet connection nowadays, making that option unviable.

Fortunately, there are still some options to minimize data gathering while gaming:

• Set Up The Firewall. In the Windows Firewall settings, users can block internet access to programs, making it a very effective tool to avoid intrusions.
• Disable Background Apps. In the Apps & Features settings, users can turn off every app running in the background, reducing data collection. Players are also encouraged to turn off start-up apps in the same settings.
• Use VPNs. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can help avoid tracking. But, if the connection is weak, they can also reduce internet speed and stability.
• Read Privacy Policies. Every company must communicate that it will gather information about its players. By reading the policy, gamers can know what data will be collected and used in case of an issue.
• Limit Data Collection. Players can restrict companies from gathering information by heading to game settings and turning off every option related to sharing data.

Being Mindful and Keeping Personal Information Safe

Companies aren’t the only thing gamers should be aware of, though. When playing, it’s vital to avoid sharing personal details with strangers in public chats and even with AI chatbots .

Also, players are recommended to keep their login credentials updated and add Two-Factor Authentication methods. While these can make the login process lengthier, it’s worth it in the long run if you lose access to your account or password.

To Close

It’s crucial to understand that every online software, platform, or website can gather data. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing since developers can use the information to deliver a better experience or fix bugs.

That said, gamers must always track which apps are gathering information and what data they are accessing to keep their full privacy.