News CCA Monitors EA/Dice Spyware-Adware Debacle [Archive]

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 05:54 AM

Hey guys, sorry it took me a bit to get over here on this one. There's been a lot of information on this taken out of context and misconstrued. First, read this letter from the DICE team about the subject:

The in-game advertisement is respectful of players' privacy: it never accesses files not directly related to the game, and it does not capture personal data such as cookies, account login detail, gameplay behaviour or surfing history. As it is an integrated part of Battlefield 2142 and not a separate program, it only runs when the game is running.

Because BF2142 delivers ads by region, the IP address of the player is used to determine the region of the player and helps serve ads by region and language; for instance, a player in Paris will be presented with ads in French. Note that this IP address is not stored on the advertisement server and is not repurposed for other uses.

A unique ID number is anonymously assigned the first time the player joins a Battlefield 2142 online game. It is stored locally on the PC but is not linked to any personal details.
The in-game advertisement gathers what we call “impression data”, such as location of the billboard in the game or duration of advertisement impression. It helps see how many people have seen an ad – but not who has seen it.

We are also conscious that the advertisement shouldn’t distract the player from the overall gaming experience, so all ads fit in the unique environment of each level in the game. The content of the ads is also controlled to ensure that no offensive content is displayed in Battlefield 2142.

We all hope that this explanation will address recent concerns on the advertisement in Battlefield 2142.

See you on the Battlefield.

The Dice Team

More information is available in this interview, as well:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6160062.html?tag=latestnews;title;2 (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6160062.html?tag=latestnews;title;2)

Now the obvious issue - Medal of Honor Airborne. I can tell you right now that there are no plans to put any in-game advertising in Medal of Honor Airborne, and certainly no spyware.

Hope that clears a few things up for you guys. Beyond that I'd say hit up the Official Battlefield message boards. They're likely to have more information on the matter.

- BH Thanks BH.... that's a relief!!

___________________________

Now about BF2142, nothing has been misconstrued, misunderstood or "taken out of context". Regardless of all the explanation, justification and attempts at making the process of "spying on people" and "calling home" appear innocent and non-intrusive, it is just the opposite! Its malicious, intentional, offensive and deeply intrusive!

The bottom line is;
BF2142 is intentionally infected with SPYWARE AND ADWARE by EA and Dice!!

The Spyware and Adware must be removed, the action must be halted and those users who bought the INFECTED software must be afforded the opportunity for either a refund or replacement forthwith.

I would hazard a guess.... that by this time, EA and Dice have realized they have screwed the pooch!! Royally!!

Now, hopefully... upon seeing they have very unhappy consumers and a very real possibility of a marketing disaster in the offing, they are scrambling to make things right.

Anyone with the slightest bit of marketing experience knows full well that this ploy is only done to further earnings for the publisher. Unfortunately, they've taken a bad turn by inserting and surreptitiously using ADWARE/SPYWARE IN BF2142!

This exercise in Corporate Arrogance will, if not corrected and the inserted code eliminated forthwith, bring on Federal examination of the EULA and Regulation of both the use of the EULA and ALL Software Sales. The consumer has the right to enjoy privacy in the use of all purchases, regardless of the venue, without insidious intrusion by any slick software developer/publisher.

Electronic Arts and Dice has violated ethical principles across the boards with this sneaky, arrogant and greedy policy. It should be rescinded forthwith and every user who purchased the infected version of the software must be given the choice to either obtain a FULL REFUND or an exchange for uninfected product!!

If not, each user should be entitled to a minimum of treble damages (3x purchase price) for each violation.

ELECTRONIC ARTS & DICE
OWE THE ENTIRE GAMING COMMUNITY
A REMOVAL OF THE ADWARE/SPYWARE
AND A PROFOUND APOLOGY!!

TO OCCUR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FROM THIS DATE. ELSE,

BF2142 WILL BE BOYCOTTED
http://forums.raidersmerciless.com/images/cca_logo.png

ALL SALES AND USE OF BF2142 WILL CEASE
(Date, Time and Span TBA)

EA & DICE WILLFULLY AND DELIBERATELY
INFECTED BF2142 WITH SPYWARE/ADWARE!!

Amazing!! The entire computing community worldwide is fighting to keep SPYWARE and ADWARE off their computers and these arrogant dolts willfully and maliciously insert the garbage into a game (BF2142) that's anticipated to be purchased at $60.00 per copy around the world. Electronic Arts and Dice should have to fight for their right to do business and their very existence in a Court of Law for having perpetrated such a vicious, invasive act. An act that in effect, amounts to spying on people in their own homes!

If action is not taken at this time to protect the world's users, users may expect such practices becoming common place in no time at all.

The old, "Trip Hawkins arrogance" is still there at EA.

Will EA EVER wake up? Clean up your act!!

Comments? - Suggestions?

Wizz

10-20-2006, 06:12 AM

Good idea Mike.

Yesterday I contacted 3 major retailers here that will be carrying BF2142.

Best Buy
CompUSA
WalmartAll 3 were unaware of this IGA ADWARE crap that you, the user, has absolutely no choice but to ALLOW its use in order to install the game and run it. I also gave each and every one of them the links to the various websites that is in discussion of this issue.

I have requested that a notice be posted on the shelf where the BF2142 games is placed to alert the consumer of this travesty. This is now under discussion with upper management.

Walmart has already spoken against the RIAA in audio CD cost. So this should be a no brainer for them. Either the RIAA lowers the cost/charge to them or Walmart will remove all RIAA material. So I think that Walmart will be forth coming and will post said notice to all on this IGA ADWARE crap. The other 2, I will check on in a couple of days.

All 3 were shocked to say the least. Especially since on the outside of the box there is not one mention of this IGA ADWARE crap. Not one.

I then asked what is the return policy and the best you can do currently is for like product exchange due to defective disk/cd/rom. Once you open the box your basically screwed. You can not return it for a FULL REFUND. Policy, you the buyer have opened the box.

This weekend I will be contacting the States Attorney Generals office here in CT to see what can be done on this front. He will be very interested since EA and Dice both have, to this day, REFUSED to specify EXACTLY what info is being transmitted back to IGA ADWARE place.

More news to follow next week after the initial contact with my State AG office. The SAG is the key here, if he can find a law, precedent including recent or past court judgments relative to this matter then he CAN ORDER all retailers in the State to either remove said product or order a full refund of said product.

More news to follow..........

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 06:34 AM

http://www.totalbf2142.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4893

October 17th, 2006, 01:22 PM #1

As per the patch 1.01, one of the "known issues" is as follows:

http://www.totalbf2142.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4867

Players who have the Windows security update KB917422 installed may suffer from an application error when running Battlefield 2142. This error can be solved by uninstalling the KB917422 update.

Here's what this security update does:

MS06-051: Vulnerability in the Windows kernel could result in remote code execution
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917422

Uninstall this security update at your own risk!

WHAT??????

MS06-051: Vulnerability in the Windows kernel could result in remote code execution

REMOVE THIS MICROSOFT SECURITY UPDATE FROM YOUR OS???
TO PLAY BF2142?
EA and DICE are CRAZY!!!

Electronic Arts and Dice want to FORCIBLY DISABLE and REMOVE Microsoft's Security Software because it STOPS the SPYWARE/ADWARE from doing its nasty deed?????

Sure!!! Because the goofs who wrote the software so that if... the SPYWARE/ADWARE didn't work ...the game wouldn't run!!!

Oh well, if EA and Dice do not rectify this atrocity...

BF2142 is a Dead Duck!

Wizz

10-20-2006, 06:41 AM

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917422

MS06-051: Vulnerability in the Windows kernel could result in remote code execution

Hmmmmmmm

So WTF is this "Remote Code Execution"

Hell no, all 3 of my systems are fully updated and up to date with all security and what not patches. I will not remove any of them to run this game or any games and thats a fact.

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 07:36 AM

Ya know, I've read that Dice Team letter a number of times.... the more I read it the more aggravated I become!!

Those guys have some nerve!! Try to sugar coat and explain away the same garbage Double Click tried a few years ago and had to halt. Who do these guys think they are???

Masking SPYWARE/ADWARE in a game... to gather information about the user who installed the game!! Then to require that the user delete/remove Critical OS protections to be able to run the game. That is outrageous! It is SO wrong!! :mad:

All I'll say further about this is; DICE - Electronic Arts had better rectify this travesty with great haste. That is, if they CARE about their users and wish to KEEP them loyal.

As is often said; "A word to the wise is sufficient". :B

These guys have given a whole new meaning to "Caveat Emptor"

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 08:08 AM

A few thoughts to ponder.....

excerpted from a EULA

BF2142 uses technology developed by IGA Partners Limited ("IGA") that delivers content and information to and from the game and game environment when you use BF2142 while connected to the Internet. Such content may include advertising and other material created by third parties and may be sent from a remote server inside or outside the country in which you reside or use BF2142.

When you use BF2142 on a computer connected to the Internet, IGA may record data relating to your use of and interaction with BF2142, including your response to ads, content, and other information presented by IGA. This information will be associated with the IP address assigned by your service provider, which may or may not be personally identifiable, based on the service you use. IGA uses this information to analyze and enhance the effectiveness of commercial messages and other information delivered by IGA as well as to provide you with an up to date, enjoyable and dynamic gaming experience.
________________________________

The above should appear on the OUTSIDE of the box in large type and plain view!

Why does all this sound like a Double Click Advertising replay from the 1990's?? Double Click was stopped in its tracks!

Please, if you are concerned about SPYWARE/ADWARE intrusions, please send your complaint letter to the FTC.

What they do NOT tell you is that EA and DICE get PAID for your being intruded upon and having your right to privacy trampled with ADWARE and SPYWARE by EA and DICE.

Help stop it NOW... a letter to your Congressional Representative and Senator, both State and Federal, will go a long way to stop this garbage. They'll listen and react.

Especially during an ELECTION YEAR!

dickybird

10-20-2006, 08:38 AM

Dice/ EA better remove it because to release it in that in the UK they'll be jumped on so fast that they wont stand a chance. Data Protection Act clearly sates that collecting information and selling it on to advertisers is illegal and theres a good chance of the trading standards agency getting involved because its not mentioned on the box. The EU has a similar laws (I vote UKIP before you ask why i separated the two).

http://www.ico.gov.uk/Home/what_we_cover/privacy_and_electronic_communications.aspx remove it or get reported to the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office).

U-z-i Kidding

10-20-2006, 08:51 AM

Well I must say I am very disheartened that EA and Dice wish to pursue this avenue. Why?

Over here in the UK a lot of people spend time watching tv. For those of you that are not aware the households that own a tv set have to pay for a tv license for the channels BBC1 and BBC2. Why do we have to do that you may ask?

BBC channels do not allow companies to advertise their brand/products on these channels so basically they are funded by the people of the UK. On request a tv engineer can remove these channels from your tv and you will not have to pay a license fee. Not many people are aware of this.

The current cost for a colour tv license here in the UK is £131.50 for a year.

The other channels we receive are funded by the big companies that use the tv for advertising their products. Dependent on what time of day they are shown the cost to the advertising companies are considerably higher during peak viewing times and this pays for the channels to be up and running.

Now you may ask what the hell does this have to do with a computer game?

If companies want to allow their products to be used for advertising then the product should be free of charge and the advertisers should be paying for the product.

I do not like the thought that my interests online should be gathered for advertising companies to bombard me with material whilst waiting for the next levels to load on. I want to spend my leisure time playing online games that do not invade my privacy. I do not want adverts popping up willy nilly just because companies may feel I would want to buy their products based on my surfing habits.

I also find it of particular concern that removal of security updates from your computer to allow this form of advertising is absolutely absurd.

If you want us to have advertising within our games then make the game free to us and ask the advertising companies to pay the cost of development and publishing. Do not allow them to make you pay for it in more ways than one.

richman

10-20-2006, 09:04 AM

Hey guys,

Thank you for the information you've put together here. I'm very upset to hear this sort of thing is going on. My GOD what does the future hold for all of us? I will support this movement the best I can and do my best to spread the word.

Hopefully I can gather my own info and inform our congress person as well. Being new to pursuing issues such as this, if anyone could kindly point me in the right direction, it would be most appreciated.

Thank for putting this in your public section for all to view. IMPORTANT!:wink1:

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 09:07 AM

Uzi.... eloquent response and reasoning. Thanks for your take on the matter. I'd say they have a big problem worldwide..

I hope the react quickly and restore the community's faith in the security measures in their products. Right now, they are in jeopardy of losing not only their users but also their reputation. Not to mention a small fortune in sales.

U-z-i Kidding

10-20-2006, 09:20 AM

Thanks Mike ;)

For those of you in the UK that are worried about what is going on here then please take your complaint up with the Advertising Standards Authority. This can be done by filling out the online complaints form which can be found here:

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/how_to_complain/

Welcome to the Advertising Standards Authority website

The ASA is here to make sure all advertising, wherever it appears, meets the high standards laid down in the advertising codes. Our website will tell you more about the rules for advertising, let you complain online, and explain how the ASA is working to keep UK advertising standards as high as possible.

U-z-i Kidding

10-20-2006, 09:58 AM

Disgruntled gamers at the EA forums

http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread.jspa?sls=2&tstart=0&threadID=133500

dickybird

10-20-2006, 10:03 AM

UZI you forgot the ICO stuff ;)

complaints against breaches of the the electronic mail marketing - Regulations 22 and 23 can go to http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/privacy_and_electronic_communications.aspx

These regulations cover email, text (SMS) and any other form of unsolicited electronic message, which may only be sent if the individual has asked for it. There is an exception to this rule, known as soft opt in. This applies in the following circumstances:

* The organisation obtained the contact details as the result of a sale or the negotiations for the sale of a product or service
* The messages are only marketing their similar products or services and
* The individual is given a simple opportunity to refuse the marketing when their details are collected and is given another simple way to do so in every future message.

Individuals can opt out of receiving direct marketing messages at any time by contacting the organisation directly. The organisation must comply with any opt out requests promptly and without question.

U-z-i Kidding

10-20-2006, 10:09 AM

Nice one dickybird ;)

All about IGA

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/02/06/1346673.htm
(Source Link)

Pinpoint

[February 06, 2006]

IGA Worldwide, Inc. Receives Significant Venture Capital Injection; Pioneering In-Game Advertising Group Receives Investor Backing as Sector Interest Soars

NEW YORK --(Business Wire)-- Feb. 6, 2006 -- With in-game advertising forecast to grow by at least 40 percent this year and exceed $1 billion before the end of the decade, market pioneer IGA Worldwide, Inc. has secured a first close of $12 million in its initial round of institutional financing to further accelerate its growth.

A consortium of investors led by New York-based Easton Capital Group and co-led by Morgenthaler Ventures and including existing investor DN Capital has subscribed to the Series A funding round, eager to capitalise on the group's significant market traction and unique combination of ad agency and media experience, videogame culture, and cutting edge proprietary technologies.

IGA Worldwide's proprietary Radial Network offers the ability to deliver a range of advertising content including audio, video and 3D geometry into a broad spectrum of leading computer and videogame titles and platforms, through its various exclusive partnerships with game publishers and developers.

It also offers marketers the opportunity to geo- target and update ad content and report live and post-campaign metrics from their advertisements through a ground- breaking technology termed Dynamic In-Game Advertising (DIGA). This provides unrivalled planning flexibility and ensures almost zero wastage.

As a conduit between advertisers, agencies and publishers, IGA Worldwide and its strategic communications consultancy Hive Partners provide the expertise, services and infrastructure to tap into a mass entertainment audience that reaches out to 150 million people in the US alone, predominantly in the lucrative and notoriously hard-to-reach 18 to 34 year old male audience.

"This funding round will help us take in-game advertising to another level," said IGA Worldwide CEO, Justin Townsend. "The medium is already proving itself, but this vote of confidence along with our unique, proven approach to the market means that there is no end to the value we can provide to both advertisers and game publishers."

Despite forecast industry growth of 12 percent CAGR and a current global market value approaching $30 billion in revenues, the cost of developing games for new platforms is now estimated at between $10 - 20 million. In-game advertising provides publishers with a valuable new revenue stream as well as brand-funded game content and co-promotional exposure, helping to offset the commercial risks of bringing exciting new titles to market.

"We and Morgenthaler Ventures both believe that this is a major market with explosive growth potential. After an extensive analysis of the space and feedback from the varied constituencies served, we targeted IGA as the most attractive player based on the unique breadth of its management team and their service and product offerings," said John Friedman, Managing General Partner of Easton Capital Group.

Unlike other entertainment and advertising channels, gaming is an interactive medium, enabling the consumer to actively engage with trends and experience products and associated benefits as part of the gameplay. Research from the likes of Nielsen Entertainment has proven that this helps to increase the impact of in-game advertising compared with other advertising mediums.

"IGA's deep advertising and game development backgrounds assure their ad placements will be sensitive to the gaming experience - increasing effectiveness for the advertiser and improving the user experience," explained Greg Blonder of Morgenthaler Ventures.

Steve Schlenker, Managing Partner of DN Capital, added: "Over the past decade, video games have emerged as a dominant medium and are increasingly replacing TV and film as the primary entertainment source. IGA helps advertisers not only to reconnect with consumers, but also to engage them interactively for the first time."

Wizz

10-20-2006, 10:19 AM

UZI you forgot the ICO stuff ;)

complaints against breaches of the the electronic mail marketing - Regulations 22 and 23 can go to http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/privacy_and_electronic_communications.aspx

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

If you do not agree to have said IGA ads/program running then you are NOT allowed to run the game. As it is now you dont agree to it then you CANT install the game.

Installing and running/using said BF2142 ONLINE game is dependent if you agree to allow ads to be run while INGAME.

Sounds like a case to me for a FULL REFUND under UK law. Especially since you did not agree to such terms and what not PRIOR to forking over the cash and OPENING the box or having your Credit Card CHARGED for said BF2142 game.

In BOTH cases its ONLY when you PAY for it is when you find out this bull****.

wakka

10-20-2006, 10:22 AM

First, appolgies nto foudn my links for wizz yet.

re the adverts : known.. around 6months, was first brought up
Not openly/widley discussed until 2 months ago.
No one really beleived it until very recently.

I have max updates and firewalls, play no problem, on windows xp

again re adverts, they will find they will probably fall foul of eu laws,

my clan has gone total 2142, since the server has been up its been full constant, and when we had the demo it was full pretty much constant.

What is more annoying for ppl at the moment, is not the adverts.

Its the ranking system thats stopped working, its storing poitns but not giving users there ranks and unlocks etc.

I'm yet to notice an advert in game, sorry im busy playing the game.
So where ever they have put these adverts im yet to see one, unless
my system is blocking em. :frown:

Im sure they will patch out the adverts but, its still not got as many ppl annoyed as other aspects/

Yet again the 2142 take up is high, so any action will need to get a lot more support.

I dont think it will have the volume of support cca originally had for cod2.

Like anyone , i have not paid for adverts.

but lets take a look at that,

You buy a dvd, especially kids dvds, they have 3-5 adverts for other features before the feature starts.

I think until advertising is overhauled in all countries, its a case of tough ****e.

I dont want it, but law makers need to make more noise

U-z-i Kidding

10-20-2006, 10:27 AM

I thought this made quite disturbing reading from a forum user that read the Terms and Conditions.

http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread.jspa?sls=2&tstart=0&threadID=133500&start=75
3rd post down on page 6

Re: BF2142 Advertising Info
Posted:Oct 19, 2006 8:28 AM in response to: erilis000 (BF) Reply Alert

Irrespective of what EA or IGA say about what level of monitoring/spying is currently in their game, I draw your attention to their ACTUAL terms and conditions which state what they believe they CAN monitor.

In particular, the section entitled: "What is personal information and when does EA collect it?"

" Personal information is information that identifies you and may be used to contact you on-line or off-line."

"Electronic Arts collects personal information from our online visitors during ... use of our software or online services."

"Information collected ... may include your name, e-mail address, phone number, mobile number, home address, birth date, and credit card information. In addition, we may collect demographic information such as gender, zip code, information about your computer, hardware, software, platform, media, Internet IP address and connection, information about online activity such as feature usage, game play statistics and scores, user rankings and click paths and other data that you may provide in surveys or online profiles, for instance. We may combine demographic information with personal information. "

This seems REALLY disturbing...how do you read it? Aside from within the game, you can see the whole document if you start to create a new login for posting on this forum. The version of the document that I have quoted from is 20426_11 and was current on the website and in the game today 19/10/2006. I have since returned the game (after laboriously taking screenshots of the terms and conditions from within it).

wakka

10-20-2006, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the links uzi btw

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 10:32 AM

Sign the online Petition!! Make yourself heard!!

Click to Sign the Petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/eacrimes/petition.html)

U-z-i Kidding

10-20-2006, 10:33 AM

You buy a dvd, especially kids dvds, they have 3-5 adverts for other features before the feature starts.

Ahhh but when you place the dvd into your dvd player it doesn't collect your credit card details and personal information wakka lol

wakka

10-20-2006, 10:39 AM

lol nice point

--
I was number 99
99 Signatures Total

oo now i know where the adds r, there not active yet then for me
http://www.ggl.com/news.php?NewsId=4040

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 10:56 AM

Ahhhh but when you place the DVD into your DVD player it doesn't collect your credit card details and personal information wakka lol

Bingo!!! And therein lies the RUB!!! The garbage from IGA insidiously snoops your system and ferrets out your information...

Understand this; they do not and did not write the routines with horse blinders on... it is remotely accessible - therefore the criteria for info collection can be changed!!!!

Additionally, where does it store the information it gathers? On YOUR system and then retrieve it periodically??

The entire concept and implementation is wrong, wrong, wrong! People must be told the Truth before they part with hard earned cash.

It is SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE

Why do they require a removal of Microsoft's critical update software??
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool KB917422. Because it catches this IGA SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE garbage!

I'll not buy nor recommend anyone to installing this garbage from EA called BF2142!!

If it waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, IT IS A DUCK!!

wakka

10-20-2006, 11:01 AM

here is something for u

I added to buddies in game,

creates a gp.info file in main folder

now they probably never filled there ea user names in properly
but..., i assume pat=female, as they both r

2
[81340420]
valid=1
nick=carefreeuk
uniquenick=
email=
firstname=
lastname=
homepage=
icquin=-1
zipcode=
countrycode=
birthday=0
birthmonth=0
birthyear=0
sex=Pat
publicmask=-1
aimname=
pic=0
occupationid=0
industryid=0
incomeid=0
marriedid=0
childcount=0
interests1=0
ownership1=0
conntypeid=0

[81485575]
valid=1
nick=Blood_Angel
uniquenick=
email=
firstname=
lastname=
homepage=
icquin=-1
zipcode=
countrycode=
birthday=0
birthmonth=0
birthyear=0
sex=Pat
publicmask=-1
aimname=
pic=0
occupationid=0
industryid=0
incomeid=0
marriedid=0
childcount=0
interests1=0
ownership1=0
conntypeid=0

wakka

10-20-2006, 11:04 AM

anyone know what this file is
icontent.cache
in my bf2142 my documents folder,

same file not exist in bf2

is that the advert file, only file different i can find

Norminator

10-20-2006, 11:10 AM

Sign the online Petition!! Make yourself heard!!

Click to Sign the Petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/eacrimes/petition.html)

petition signed

U-z-i Kidding

10-20-2006, 11:12 AM

Update on this certain petition Mike

ATTENTION: THIS PETITION IS NO LONGER VALID: PLEASE REDIRECT YOUR SIGNATURE TO THE ORIGINAL PETITION AS IT HAS FAR MORE SIGNATURES THAN THIS ONE:

Sign the online Petition!! Make yourself heard!!

Click to Sign the UPDATED Petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/bf2142ad/petition.html)

For those of you who signed the other one, please add your name to this one :wink1:

richman

10-20-2006, 11:18 AM

Sign the online Petition!! Make yourself heard!!

Click to Sign the Petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/eacrimes/petition.html)

signed! (both)
:no way:

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 11:36 AM

anyone know what this file is
icontent.cache
in my bf2142 my documents folder,

same file not exist in bf2

is that the advert file, only file different i can find

Hahahahahha you found one!!

Hoots_Mom

10-20-2006, 12:11 PM

petition signed

Norm i luv that the banner links to the petition! signed both. bastidges!

EA & Dice are about to feel the hate even more intensely than IW.

I'm anticipating the outrage when the collected player info gets hacked,
then what?

dickybird

10-20-2006, 12:26 PM

With the fact that it is illegal then i recon it will be gone in a patch very very soon.

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 12:37 PM

From the 24 pages of posts I saw at the EA forums this morning.... with people posting about the SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE... even my own posts (2)

Are Gone!!

The asshats over there have deleted hundreds of posts (this is in the USA) The UK forums are all screwed up... you must even login separately to enter the BF2142 forum.

I'm sorry this entire episode is becoming a Comedy Of Errors on the part of EA.... whomever is calling the shots at EA in regard to this BF2142 SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE debacle should be FIRED immediately.

The only true recourse EA has at this point since all the deletions and changes strongly indicate EA is "ON THE RUN" would be to offer a patch that removes the SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE from BF2142 and ensure that future shipments of the product will have the fixed code installed Additionally, a refund/exchange program must be in place to accommodate the loyal users burned by this garbage.

It is highly recommended that ALL user who deleted Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool - KB917422 Go to Microsoft downloads and get it back and re-install it as soon as possible. It has hundreds of other more dangerous ID'ed files you need to be protected from.

The audacity of EA to require you to remove this security tool is atrocious. I wouldn't be surprised if EA can be held liable for any damages to a user's system that becomes infected by one or more of the other ID'ed files KB917422 is designed to protect users from.

Shame on you EA... you really have screwed the Pooch on this one!

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 12:38 PM

With the fact that it is illegal then i recon it will be gone in a patch very very soon.

:rolleyes: We shall see....

Wizz

10-20-2006, 12:47 PM

The BF2142 forum that Mike speaks of was full and I mean full of angry people who was speaking out on this issue. All those posts are now gone and the forum has become way lighter. I mean post weight wise. They have dumped hundreds of posts.

The UK EA fourm for BF2142 is now LOCKED and can only be seen and read if you are reg'd and logged in. Last night around 9 PM EST said forum was OPEN to all even "guest" now today its locked.

EA and Dice must be catching some serious hell now and they should. This is outrageous and after reading that petition and the laws that is represents is serious. EA better come clean and do the right thing.

They owe anyone who requests it a FULL refund.

Pre orders if so cancelled must be honored and a full refund be applied.

EA to make a FULL PUBLIC apology for this and ensure the public that they will not do this again in the future.

We all remember that HP scandle that criminal charges has been filed. You all remember that. Well this is in the same catagory and yes some hard thigs can be done against EA in the form of legal action. By the public or by local & state gov and/or the Federal Gov. Laws have been broken and thats for sure.

richman

10-20-2006, 12:52 PM

From the 24 pages of posts I saw at the EA forums this morning....

Mike are you talking about this thread?

re: U-z-i Kidding's post
http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread.jspa?sls=2&tstart=0&threadID=133500&start=0

14 pages here..

EDIT:
Sorry forgot about the thread you referenced.

Indeed the boil is festering.

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 03:47 PM

Today, on another forum... I replied to Blackhat. I understand he has to toe the company line and defend it as best he can.. Electronic Arts has perped a monstrous footshot upon itself.. It must rectified. All the sugar coating in the world is not going to justify SPYING ON YOUR USERS!! Simply put, it is a rotten underhanded thing to do to make an extra buck.

I feel compelled to note that the ad system in BF2142 doesn't take any more information from you than most of the message baords you visit. When you log on to most of the more popular message boards, it tags your IP address (and sometimes it can track not only the one you sign up to the board with, but also every subsequent one you've signed in from), and it also tracks where you are on the board at any given time.

That's essentially what this ad program is doing. It gets your IP for the sake of serving up the ads that are region specific to the area you're in, and then it just tracks (anonymously - not even the message boards are that anonymous) how long an ad was looked at, what angle, that sort of stuff, but not WHO is looking at the ad.

BH, that might very well be the case. The forums tag the IP but that is as far as it goes, no harvesting of info, no snooping on their hard drives and no hidden transfers of information.

But that is not the point. The point is it was SNUCK in without the user's knowledge or permission. The real situation was not made known until AFTER the PURCHASE and the deal was done and/or the seal broken on the package.

More importantly, once the SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE is installed, what else is it capable of that neither you nor any of us are aware of??

Why is it that Microsoft's Malicious Software Tool KB917422 must be removed to allow this "thing" to do its work? ---> Because it is SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE and identified as such by Microsoft's Security Tools.

Blackhat, I'm not out to get anyone or anything... but for goodness' sake EA could've done a great deal better on this one. It REEKS of underhanded sneaky policies and corporate GREED.

Wizz

10-20-2006, 03:58 PM

My reply over at fpsadmin:

I can definitely understand why some people are upset about parts of it, but I do feel that the nature of the software in question has been blown far out of proportion and made out to be malicious, when it's frankly rather benign. It collects no more information than most any website you would visit online, particularly message boards.

BlackHat

While I await MOH:Airborne with the passion I do have to dissagree with your statement. I do want Airborne and I am watering at the mouth seeing the game play and pics.
But to be honest,

Why didnt EA/Dice make this a OPTION for the user(s) when they install the game. If a person doesnt want this crap running then guess what, you can not and will not run the game. By the terms of the agreement you can not install BF2142 unless you AGREE to run this adware program.

Also EA and Dice both have refused to answer on what EXACTLY is being recorded and sent to IGA. Blown out of porportion, no I do not think so. Every user out there has every right to be very lery of this.

Why is it that in some ( many ) cases do you the user have to remove a "High Priority Security" update inorder for this IGA Adware prg to function properly.

Sorry BlackHat, you did comment on the Airborne side and I am waiting for its release but to be honest your boss's sure isnt looking pretty about this whole scam.

Also can you answer on why the US EA BF2142 forums and other forums PURGED of hundreds of posts concerning this issue.
Why is it that the UK EA BF2142 forum now LOCKED and you NOW have to be a reg'd special member to view said forum. All other forums REMAIN unlocked and OPEN to all and that includes GUESTS.

When we see a company doing these things is the very reasons on why things happen. I have seen some awsome community interaction with whats new, patches, future projects from EA/Dice inref to the BF2 works in progress. I have to say it is a hell of lot better than what it has been in the past. Now I see this type of behavor going on with forums, posts, deletions and lockings. people dont like this.

If EA and Dice would have been upfront with this whole scam on the OUTSIDE of the box and on a PRE-AGREEMENT on your downloader site BEFORE you forked over your credit card number then I have no problems with this.

Its called letting us KNOW before we paid and OPENED the box. You do know what happens when you open the box or buy t off the downloader site. Your screwed without any recourse for a full refund. This IGA crap is ONLY found out ONCE your paid the money and opened the box or thru your downloader site. Once that is done its too late for any thing, 50 or 60 bucks down the drain. Why because EA and Dice wasnt HONEST and wasnt UPFRONT about this whole mess.

Buy it open the box and your out 50 to 60 bucks. Just to find the IGA BS inside of it, too late.............................................. ........

"The disclaimer notes that the game may include software that records users' IP addresses and "other anonymous information" collectively referred to as "advertising data." It also says that information is sent off to advertising firm IGA Worldwide for the purpose of delivering in-game ads, and if users don't want IGA to have access to that data, their only recourse is to not play or even install the game on a computer with Internet access."

NOTE:

I want to make perfectly clear, this isnt about some ad on a billboard in the game or some side of a building. The issue is the IGA Adware program itself and why was is SNEEKED into the game and not mentioned BEFORE you paid for it. Why no disclaimer on the EA downloader site BEFORE yu forked over your credit card number for payment. WHy no disclaimer on the BOX before you OPENED it. These are the issues at hand and a few more as so posted about.

Whats disturbing now is that it seems that EA is doing a mass forum purge of their EA owned and run forums. Hundreds of forum posts are now gone and the official ea bf2142 forum now requires special access to get into it. Why ??????????

BlackHatAA

10-20-2006, 04:15 PM

BH, that might very well be the case. The forums tag the IP but that is as far as it goes, no harvesting of info, no snooping on their hard drives and no hidden transfers of information.

But that is not the point. The point is it was SNUCK in without the user's knowledge or permission. The real situation was not made known until AFTER the PURCHASE and the deal was done and/or the seal broken on the package.

More importantly, once the SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE is installed, what else is it capable of that neither you nor any of us are aware of??

Why is it that Microsoft's Malicious Software Tool KB917422 must be removed to allow this "thing" to do its work? ---> Because it is SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE and identified as such by Microsoft's Security Tools.

Blackhat, I'm not out to get anyone or anything... but for goodness' sake EA could've done a great deal better on this one. It REEKS of underhanded sneaky policies and corporate GREED.

I know you guys think it's out to get you, but frankly it's not. In the IGA interview over at Gamespot that I've linked to several times, the guy tells you what info it's getting, and none of it is personal info. He flat out tells you that it's only accessing game related files, if I recall. Go read it again for yourself for exact specifics:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6160062.html?tag=latestnews;title;2

GS: The term "advertising data" in the disclaimer is fairly vague other than to emphasize that it is anonymous. Can you tell us specifically what the advertising data consists of?

JT: Absolutely, more than happy to. The first thing that we do is we need an IP address. What that IP address allows us to do is serve the relevant advertising to the relevant person. There are different versions of [advertising content] for different markets. By getting the IP address, we know that we have to give the French ads to the French, and the US ads to the US, and the German ads to the German population. That IP is then discarded. We don't keep it. We use it purely to make sure we're sending the ads to the correct location.

GS: And any other advertising data?

JT: It's not what you would call advertising data in the traditional sense of advertising data. The only other data that we really collect is what we need to report back to the brand to serve the campaign. It's never, ever user-specific. It's very generic. We report that we served so many ad impressions that were exposed for a certain duration of time at a certain angle and a certain size onscreen. But that's not specific to any unique player.

GS: It's been reported that the IGA technology monitors surfing habits and other computing habits. Is that true?

JT: Completely untrue. In advertising, it's important to understand that there are two key forms of advertising. One of them is called above-the-line advertising. In mediums such as television or radio or print, what you're looking to do is communicate the brand values to the consumer in the hope that the next time they go shopping and make a purchasing decision, they will think of your brand.
The other line of advertising is below-the-line advertising, where you use media such as the Internet or direct mail, and the whole point of that kind of advertising is to enter into a transaction or a dialogue with the consumer. For that kind of advertising, you do need lots of personal data.

What we do is above-the-line advertising. We're looking to transport the image and the values for the brands we're doing the advertising campaign for. It's not user-specific. We're not looking to get into transactions or dialogues with any individual consumer. It's purely to communicate the brand values to a mass consumer audience. It's not a dialogue or a transaction medium here. Therefore, we don't even need that kind of data, nor do we want that kind of data.

As for the security patch, did you see what was reported at 1UP after a simple google search?

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3154527

Blame, however, does not rest EA but with Microsoft, as a quick Google search of KB917422 brings up many gamers, developers and publishers bitching about the Windows update breaking various games and applications. What have users found is the easiest way to solve the problem? Remove KB917422 or install hotfix KB924867, apparently available by contacting Microsoft directly by calling 800-936-3100.

Even if you simply remove KB917422, you are not opening yourself up to anonymous hackers. This could only happen in two scenarios: "one user running on the machine can force himself to a higher privilege," which means they must have access to your computer locally, or visiting "a specially designed hostile website can force its way to the users privilege, if the user voluntarily performs a sequence of operations." Do either of those sound likely?

Obviously you're completely free to make up your own mind on the matter, and research the security fixes and dangers yourself (and I encourage you to). I just want to make sure you have all of the information on what's actually related to that file and the ad program within the game.

Wizz

10-20-2006, 04:33 PM

MS right now is going thru this same old crap with all the anti virus checker companies. The issue at hand is this.

They the OUTSIDE companies wants MS to fork over some code that will OPEN the "Kernal" to outside intervention. Thats what all this is BlackHat. All these problems is because MS has "locked" down the kernal from outside "snopping" around. Its a heated debate right now and the crap is still being flung because MS refuses to allow a outside entity to have direct access to the CPU's Kernal functions.

Again they the outsiders wants unrestricted access to the kernal and MS isnt allowing it at the moment. This is a big issue since Windows Vista is now totaly 100 percent locked down. Windows XP home and pro has some open holes in it to allow outside programs to access the kernal to do things. Well these latest fixes, hot fixes and security updates has placed a bigger control set on who/what has access to said kernal routines.

Windows Vista will be 100 percent locked down if MS has its way.

Now onto the subject at hand.

I have made a clarification to why I am against this. Its totaly clear on the reasons.

And I quote:

I want to make perfectly clear, this isnt about some ad on a billboard in the game or some side of a building. The issue is the IGA Adware program itself and why was is SNEEKED into the game and not mentioned BEFORE you paid for it. Why no disclaimer on the EA downloader site BEFORE you forked over your credit card number for payment. Why no disclaimer on the BOX before you OPENED it. These are the issues at hand and a few more as so posted about.

Whats disturbing now is that it seems that EA is doing a mass forum purge of their EA owned and run forums. Hundreds of forum posts are now gone and the official ea bf2142 forum now requires special access to get into it. Why ??????????

Let me state again, I could give a rats butt about some ad on the side of a building while im blasting the bad guys. Its the method of how this IGA Adware software was implimented. Also since the fact that EA is now making "additional" monies off this why do we the user have to pay FULL price for this game ?.

So now EA gets full price for it from us, 50 to 60 bucks depending on where you buy it.

EA is having these ADS run while we play and yes they are "collecting" some cash for this. So now they are making money while we PLAY.

These are the issues BlackHat. We feel as it was SNEEKED into the game and we were left with no recourse.

dickybird

10-20-2006, 05:18 PM

It doesnt stop it from being against UK and other countries laws though. Ive already pointed out that the Electronic Mail Marketing Regulations 22 and 23 are breached because the marketing is of "soft opt in" type without the option to remove the adware its illegal.
http://www.ico.gov.uk/Home/what_we_cover/privacy_and_electronic_communications.aspx

These regulations cover email, text (SMS) and any other form of unsolicited electronic message, which may only be sent if the individual has asked for it. There is an exception to this rule, known as soft opt in. This applies in the following circumstances:

* The organisation obtained the contact details as the result of a sale or the negotiations for the sale of a product or service
* The messages are only marketing their similar products or services and
* The individual is given a simple opportunity to refuse the marketing when their details are collected and is given another simple way to do so in every future message.

Individuals can opt out of receiving direct marketing messages at any time by contacting the organisation directly. The organisation must comply with any opt out requests promptly and without question.

As is Advertising standards law by not saying "this game contains electronic marketing" or words to that effect on the box.

Out of all honesty EA doesnt need the marketing money to get the cash to run its servers. hell EA makes almost triple running costs each year. Innovations been dropping each year with most of the big developers in the industry getting more and more greedy and just putting out the same old game with new graphics. This is just another step into the milk it for all its worth attitude thats blighting the industry. With MS plodding along and buying up all the crap studios that should have died along time ago it really doesnt help matters. As someone that currently studying game design at Uni its really worrying me with where the industry is heading with the attitude from the big name developers.

Hoots_Mom

10-20-2006, 05:39 PM

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 06:38 PM

Better yet, what about if its a minor whose information they actually get?

This garbage gets uglier by the minute.:whaa1:

Hoots_Mom

10-20-2006, 06:54 PM

Better yet, what about if its a minor whose information they actually get?

This garbage gets uglier by the minute.:whaa1:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0623073/060907xangacomplaint.pdf
read there Mike. if the terms of service agreement on install is whats been posted, there can be a similar suit

Mike Nomad

10-20-2006, 06:58 PM

Wow... Thank you.

EA and IGA had better clean this mess up and do it fast.

Mike Nomad

10-21-2006, 04:54 AM

Holy crap! This is bang out of order and would certainly be illegal in the UK, as per the other posts made here.

Pettition signed.

I am going to be busy today, so if someone would like to raise this issue codboards, it would be appreciated.

BB1

It was done yesterday morning in the War Zone. :)

U-z-i Kidding

10-21-2006, 05:58 AM

I just popped along to the EA Downloader site:

http://account.ea.com/commerce/product-info.jsp?ipath=15&locale=en_US&sls=2&site=eaco&prodid=BF2142&skin=bf2142&app=commerce

Check out the Terms of Service

http://www.ea.com/global/legal/tosale.jsp

EA's Privacy Policy

http://www.ea.com/global/legal/privacy_noseal.jsp

Cookies

What about cookies and other technologies?
We use cookies and other technologies to passively collect demographic information, personalize your experience on our site and monitor advertisements and other activities. Cookies are small files downloaded to your computer to track movements within web sites. Certain of our sites use cookies to keep track of your shopping cart and make sure you don't see the same ad repeatedly. Also, we use cookies to deliver content specific to your interest and for other purposes. For example, certain of our sites use “cookies” or other methods to monitor website usage. We collect information on what games are played, how much time is spent playing the games and which ads or links are clicked. We may link cookie information to personal information.

Certain of our sites use an outside ad company to display ads. These ads may contain cookies. Cookies received with banner ads are collected by our ad companies, and Electronic Arts does not have access to this information. Most browsers are automatically set to accept cookies whenever you visit a website. You can disable cookies or set your browser to alert you when cookies are being sent. However some areas of our sites will not function properly if you do so.

Mike Nomad

10-21-2006, 07:52 AM

In all honesty, all sites use cookies.. for one reason or another. Our site sends a cookie to your system to hold your ID and last read goodies... etc. We gather nothing from you.

That is what Cookies were originally intended for.. Cookies go as far back to the old Atari ST and Amiga days. That's when Cookies and the use use of them was quite innocent.

Since then, the money grubbers and gonifs of the world have complicated matters so deeply that Federal Regulation is right around the corner. The asshats aren't going to be happy until Government Regulation is slap up their butts!

Electronic Arts in attempting to grab more billions has, through the use of IGA's services crossed the line and trashed its users.

Hoots_Mom

10-21-2006, 08:00 AM

from the link UZI provided, the Privacy Policy for the EA websites ...

"What is personal information and when does EA collect it?
Personal information is information that identifies you and may be used to contact you on-line or off-line. Electronic Arts collects personal information from our online visitors during (1) contests (registration or claiming a prize), (2) warranty registration and/or during customer support or technical service requests, (3) player match up or other online services, (4) registration for games or special game-specific event participation, (5) marketing surveys and email campaigns, (6) registration for membership on our sites, (7) when you order products or subscriptions from us online, or (8) when you request services from third party service providers on our site or (9) through the use of our software or online services.

Information collected will vary depending upon the activity and may include your name, e-mail address, phone number, mobile number, home address, birth date and credit card information. In addition, we may collect demographic information such as gender, zip code, information about your computer, hardware, software, platform, media, Internet IP address and connection, information about online activity such as feature usage, game play statistics and scores, user rankings and click paths and other data that you may provide in surveys or online profiles, for instance. We may combine demographic information with personal information. Prize winners may also be required to provide Social Security or Social Identification Number for tax purposes.

We do not require personal information to obtain access to any of our sites; however, you will not be able to access areas that require registration. Whatever the purpose may be, we will only collect information to the extent reasonably necessary to fulfill your requests and our legitimate business objectives."

They do allow for opting out, however the disclaimer inside the box possibly supercedes this opt out right. And they do require written parental consent
for a minor to use their website/s.

Wizz

10-21-2006, 10:15 AM

Here is the link to the [H]ardOCP forum discussion this issue:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1110428&page=1&pp=20

I have posted in that thread, page 8. Wizard220

Wizz

10-21-2006, 05:21 PM

Live Ads to Be Found in Most of EA's Upcoming Games

Story here:

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Live-Ads-to-Be-Found-In-Most-of-EA-039-s-Upcoming-Games-34523.shtml

According to Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/31/AR2006083101475.html), game (http://news.softpedia.com/news/Live-Ads-to-Be-Found-In-Most-of-EA-039-s-Upcoming-Games-34523.shtml#) publisher Electronic Arts Inc. announced yesterday the sealing a deal with two ad companies that are to stream live advertising into its upcoming games. In-game advertising company Massive Inc., which was acquired by Microsoft this year, will be streaming ads into the Xbox 360 and PC versions of the latest Need for Speed game, along with up to three other yet unannounced EA titles, while the privately held IGA Worldwide Inc. will stream advertising to EA's futuristic multiplayer war game (http://news.softpedia.com/news/Live-Ads-to-Be-Found-In-Most-of-EA-039-s-Upcoming-Games-34523.shtml#), Battlefield 2142, and will also provide advertising in two other also unannounced titles.

"Some areas naturally support the advertising," said Chip Lange, EA's vice president of online commerce. "If you drive around an urban environment and there's no advertising, the space feels naked -- and if the advertising is dated, the game feels old."

Such advertising could lead to live, in-game product placement according to Lange, where cars (http://news.softpedia.com/news/Live-Ads-to-Be-Found-In-Most-of-EA-039-s-Upcoming-Games-34523.shtml#) or other products are put into games (http://news.softpedia.com/news/Live-Ads-to-Be-Found-In-Most-of-EA-039-s-Upcoming-Games-34523.shtml#) to coincide with an advertiser's marketing campaign; however, he thinks this is a possibility still far down the road. "We've taken our time getting to here," he said. "We're beginning the learning process, as is the industry."

He would not say how much business in-game advertising represents for EA, but Nielsen Entertainment, a company dedicated to analyzing and conducting market research for the global entertainment industry (http://news.softpedia.com/news/Live-Ads-to-Be-Found-In-Most-of-EA-039-s-Upcoming-Games-34523.shtml#), has estimated that in-game advertising was a $75 million market in the United States last year and will grow to $1 billion by 2010.

As long as advertising remains confined to driving and sports games (http://news.softpedia.com/news/Live-Ads-to-Be-Found-In-Most-of-EA-039-s-Upcoming-Games-34523.shtml#), everything's fine. It's their crossing the line into other genres that worries me. Unsurprisingly, EA seems to have already done it.

I wonder on what the 2 unannounced titles are. We will find out very soon, the next title to come out is MOH:Airborne. Its all about money and how to "continue" to make it off our backs AFTER WE PAID FULL RETAIL PRICE FOR IT.

This story was posted at the above link on 1 September 2006.

Mike Nomad

10-21-2006, 06:38 PM

I wonder on what the 2 unannounced titles are. We will find out very soon, the next title to come out is MOH:Airborne. Its all about money and how to "continue" to make it off our backs AFTER WE PAID FULL RETAIL PRICE FOR IT.

This story was posted at the above link on 1 September 2006.

Point blank...... Electronic Arts has to abandon this intrusive practice of seeking the preferences of its users to determine the levels and types of advertising its going to flash to its users within the games they play.

I could care less if they flash an advertisement or many advertisements in the games as long as every player, worldwide, sees the same ad... but if they are going to reap user preferences via surreptitious means to ensure they send ads customized to a user's activities.. then, I am against it to the max. That is, in so many words, SPYING on a user's system to determine their preferences in browsing. Electronics Arts has no right to SPY on its consumers.

That is... wrong. Criminally wrong!! If Electronics Arts continues their intrusive activities, then they must be boycotted right along with anything they offer. Why? Because if enough people raise hell, they can and presumably will mask their spying activities so users would never know such is taking place as long as the EULA demands that users agree to such offensive activities prior to installation. EULA's are far too favorable toward the developer/publisher and totally unfair, (if not illegal), toward the user/consumer.

EA is WAY out of line!!!

=db=blkmgc

10-22-2006, 08:08 AM

I say we all chip in 5 bucks, buy 1 copy of MOH AA, scrutinize the crap out of it (software and included printed materials), and if it has this kind of AD crap in it at least we all wont be out 50 bucks.

Wizz

10-22-2006, 11:04 AM

Repost from my [H]ardOCP BF2142 forum post

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1110428&page=1&pp=20

I have been watching this thread and other threads on this matter. This matter has a few things that needs to be mentioned:

Note for all.

I could care less about some damn ad on a billboard or side of a building while im blasting away but lets look at how EA "sneeked" this in.

1) You the buyer goes out to the major retailer and see's the box on the shelf. You pick up the box and find not one mention of this IGA Adware (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1110428&page=8&pp=20#) crap. The box is viod of any of this.

You grab it and goto the checkout and fork over the 50 to 60 bucks for it. You get home and "open" the box and what do you find inside. This is what you will find:

"The disclaimer notes that the game may include software that records users' IP addresses and "other anonymous information" collectively referred to as "advertising data (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1110428&page=8&pp=20#)." It also says that information is sent off to advertising firm IGA Worldwide for the purpose of delivering in-game ads, and if users don't want IGA to have access to that data, their only recourse is to not play or even install the game on a computer with Internet access."

Now that you have "opened" the box it will be very hard to nearly impossible to ever get a l refund. I have checked the following retailers here in my town that I live in for return policy.

Walmart
Bestbuy
Circuit City
CompUSA

All 4 has a "zero" return policy on "opened" box(s) for software. The best you can do is to get a LIKE replacement or exachange for "defective" cd/disk/rom software disks.

So now what do you do. You have to litterly take this issue to court for any action or litterly scream till your blue to the upper management in this.

2) You goto the EA downloader site, reg and find this BF2142 game. You fork over your credit card number and read over all the doc's that EA has posted/linked to.

As in item "1" there is not one mention of this IGA Adware crap. None what so ever. You make the final approval and pay using your credit card. You down load th software and do the install. Guess what pops up rearing its ugly head. The IGA software EULA.

"The disclaimer notes that the game may include software that records users' IP addresses and "other anonymous information" collectively referred to as "advertising data." It also says that information is sent off to advertising firm IGA Worldwide for the purpose of delivering in-game ads, and if users don't want IGA to have access to that data, their only recourse is to not play or even install the game on a computer with Internet access."

Again not ONE mention of this BEFORE you paid via your credit card and downloaded said software. Sorry again it was "sneeked" in and you the user/consumer was UNAWARE of this till the SALE was made.

These are the 2 most important issues that is at stake. Why wasnt this told to us BEFORE we made the sale, DL the game or opened the box. Also the fact that you MAY have to uninstall a High Priority Security update that prevents remote code execution is also wrong.

Sorry folks but the whole point is that EA wasnt honest with its customers. They wanted the MONEY knowing full well that retailers will and can not accept opened boxes. I have called EA support in this issue and let me tell you, the run a round I got trying to see if there is a refund policy and if you can indeed get a full refund is damn near impossible. I was sent from one dude to the next. After 25 minutes I gave up and said the hell with buying BF2142.

I just hope that they have NO plans on putting this crap into MOH Airborne. BlackHat has posted about this issue and has reasurred us all that there is NO plans on doing so. Good news for MOH Airborne fans. Time will tell tho.

Here is a link to the site that I am a admin on that we have been watching this. We have also posted what we all have done and even legal docs that anyone can use to submitt a complaint.

http://www.raidersmerciless.com/showthread.php?t=347 (http://www.raidersmerciless.com/showthread.php?t=347)

If you all purchased it and dont agree with how it was SNEEKED in and what not. Good luck in getting your money back. Its damn near impossible.

Also may I add this tidbit.

You pay FULL RETAIL price for it and then the ads plays thru while you play. Did you know that EA is making money off you while this IGA crap is doing its thing. Yes folks, you are being used to help EA make even MORE money while you play. Funny huh. I bet that some of you didnt know that. I find this very funny, they make full retail dollars off you and then make even more money while you play.

hahahhahahahahhahahahhahhahaha LMAO ROFL

Not from me they dont. I refuse to do this crap.

Mike Nomad

10-23-2006, 06:49 AM

The bottom line is there are lawsuits being filed by 17 State Attorney Generals.

This matter is only going to snowball into massive Federal Regulation if EA and IGA do not remove the garbage and pull thier horns in.

Mike Nomad

10-23-2006, 07:39 AM

That rocks!
Is there anywhere I can read about these lawsuits?

Sure, EFF has made mention of the controversy and what's going on. Also, there is a Bill before the Senate as we speak regarding this sort of thing and many more items of SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE. It is going to make the comission of such a felony criminal offense, carrying both jail time and hefty fines.

No-body74

10-23-2006, 07:47 AM

If you still want to play the game without being spied from IGA, I found this post at modsonline:

foyleman
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Posts: 10619
Last: Oct 22, 2006
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Category: In The News
Posted: Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 07:30 pm

If you don't like the idea of IGA spying on you when you are playing Battlefield 2142, then there is a solution. I found this information here and am reposting it in case they close the topic.

If you run a local port scanner for outoging activity while playing the game, you will see some information heading out to 72.3.184.153:17475. This IP address resolves to IGA who is providing the in-game ads for BF2142. Simply block port 17475 on your router and or even the entire IP address range that is owned by IGA (72.3.184.144 - 72.3.184.159) and you're set.

IGA (IGA Technologies, LLC) is the advertising solution within Battlefield 2142 that some people are upset with because they are grabbing information about you during gameplay. Although the information is only suppose to be banner impression data and your IP address, not everyone trusts EA or IGA.

Mike Nomad

10-23-2006, 08:26 AM

It's there... I know.... but I just went looking and didn't find it and when I saw it earlier today, I didn't add it to my favorties as it was a casual read...

Mike Nomad

10-23-2006, 06:32 PM

For your information;

WHOIS Record For
72.3.184.153

Record Type: IP Address

IGA Technologies, LLC RSPC-68993-1122139655 (NET-72-3-184-144-1)
72.3.184.144 - 72.3.184.159

IGA is IGA Worldwide and they handle the ads.

Possible solutions is to block port 17475 or better yet block ip address range 72.3.184.144 - 72.3.184.159.

Mike Nomad

10-24-2006, 05:38 AM

For the record;

Somebody, who shall remain nameless, emailed me and asked... why did we make such a "big deal" of the BF2142 SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE issue?

I answered by saying Consumer Rights were trampled. Electronic Arts and IGA deliberately included the SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE in the game setup software to further enhance their profits at the expense of the consumer and the consumer's bandwidth. No mention was made of compensating the consumer for the use of the consumer's bandwidth for the purpose of gathering and transmitting personal information relative to that consumer. Of course, the advertising company, IGA in turn, would use more of the consumer's bandwidth to send the advertising materials to the consumer.

That was my answer... the right thing to do would be to offer the software (BF2142) to the consumer free of charge, and allow the advertisers to pay for it instead. But no, EA/IGA saw fit to:
take the consumer "to the cleaners"
abuse the consumer's right to privacy
force the consumer to remove Security Software designed to stop SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE
EA/IGA reap ALL the profits and the consumer pays across the boards
Electronic Arts and this fine, upstanding carny con-job outfit called IGA... make a good pair. Frick and Frack will fruck you for your money and leave you bleeding over a barrel!!

Little do they realize that many of the consumers they are hosing with the insidious SPYWARE/ADWARE/MALWARE are NOT adults. Therefore, they've (EA/IGA) have entered an entirely new area of tighter FEDERAL laws and restrictions. They are in for some legal challenges I'm certain they were and are not expecting.

U-z-i Kidding

10-24-2006, 07:13 AM

I found this article that contains the piece of paper within the box about the infamous spyware agreement.

Many of you have probably read this on other sites but we did not have a copy here :wink1:

Source:
http://www.kickassgear.com/News/TodaysNews.htm

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8690/easpywareagreementcm1.jpg

Norminator

10-24-2006, 07:15 AM

a member of the clan I'm ( www.global-army.com ) in posted this today on our forums:

When I scan my pc, found over 20,000 resigter (can't spell) keys, all that from bf 2142!

This is not a guy who would joke about that and just make it up, so I think it's genuine. even tho the number is shocking tbh :confused:

dickybird

10-24-2006, 07:35 AM

****ing hell thats alot. Norm what AV does he use not many would pick it up as its part of a boxed program?

Norminator

10-24-2006, 07:37 AM

****ing hell thats alot. Norm what AV does he use not many would pick it up as its part of a boxed program?

I don't know dickybird, just asked him now. will get back when he replies.

U-z-i Kidding

10-24-2006, 07:44 AM

An alleged former EA employee speaks out:

http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread.jspa?messageID=1333590&sls=2

Hi guys. My name is Nicholas and I used to be a previous employee for EA [in all honesty]. There are a few things I wish to say about EA's marketing strategy. Please note the following:

1. I was fired from EA in an attempt to add the many features that were requested by the community. I was labeled a nuisance in an attempt to voice the opinions of the community by attempting to modify code and features.

2. After being fired, EA denounced my name and blacklisted me. Following this occurence, I had requested that Colin Clarke be removed from his community management position.

3. BF2142 is indeed a simple modifcation for BF2. In my truthful opinion, a price of $50 for this product is almost illegal, accept there are no laws against charging high prices for any object unless the object was lied about, or presented nontruthfully.

4. BF2142 will end up just as popular as Special Forces.

5. I highly recommend saving your money until the price drops to $29.99 as the extra $20.00+ of the normal price being charged is to purchase the new advertising technology. [Woops: Did I give out a marketing secret?]

Thank you for your time and spend wisely.

Nicholas