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Epic launcher collects Steam friends & play history
Resetera’s member Madjoki discovered stumbled into the intersting find that Epic Launcher is collecting players’ Steam friends and play history. Going into more details, Madjoki found out that Epic Games Launcher on start up searches for Steam installs and proceeds to get list of files in your Steam Cloud.
This also includes game saves for every user that has logged in on your PC, reports DSO gaming.
“Steam Cloud is stored under userdata[account id] if you wanna check
It will also create encrypted copy of configlocalconfig.vdf.
This file contains your steam friends, their name history (groups you’re part of, are considered “friends”).It seems friends might be used for friends suggestions, but I don’t even use that feature and it collects more than that.
While it’s called “localhistory” it is synced from cloud
It will read, encrypt and then write copy to: C:ProgramDataEpicSocialBackupRANDOM HEX CODE_STEAM ACCOUNT ID.bak
It will also keep historical entries there.”
sverek
Senior Member
Posts: 4862
Joined: 2011-01-02
Senior Member
Posts: 4862
Joined: 2011-01-02
#5650110 Posted on: 03/15/2019 08:46 AM
The same applies on most of the applications. They sniff steam folder, link user/friends ids and suggest each others.
I think Discord, Ubisoft launcher do the same at least.
But whatever, easy to hate on Epic launcher. Crowd will love this.
The same applies on most of the applications. They sniff steam folder, link user/friends ids and suggest each others.
I think Discord, Ubisoft launcher do the same at least.
But whatever, easy to hate on Epic launcher. Crowd will love this.
fantaskarsef
Senior Member
Posts: 10185
Joined: 2014-07-21
Senior Member
Posts: 10185
Joined: 2014-07-21
#5650112 Posted on: 03/15/2019 08:49 AM
The same applies on most of the applications. They sniff steam folder, link user/friends ids and suggest each others.
I think Discord, Ubisoft launcher do the same at least.
But whatever, easy to hate on Epic launcher. Crowd will love this.
Discord and ubi haven't lost my data yet. So... yes, I love it. Another piece of circumstantial evidence. Feel free to enjoy your Epic launcher and games
The same applies on most of the applications. They sniff steam folder, link user/friends ids and suggest each others.
I think Discord, Ubisoft launcher do the same at least.
But whatever, easy to hate on Epic launcher. Crowd will love this.
Discord and ubi haven't lost my data yet. So... yes, I love it. Another piece of circumstantial evidence. Feel free to enjoy your Epic launcher and games
sverek
Senior Member
Posts: 4862
Joined: 2011-01-02
Senior Member
Posts: 4862
Joined: 2011-01-02
#5650115 Posted on: 03/15/2019 08:55 AM
Thank you.
Feel free to enjoy your Epic launcher and games
Thank you.
Kaarme
Senior Member
Posts: 1465
Joined: 2013-03-10
Senior Member
Posts: 1465
Joined: 2013-03-10
#5650120 Posted on: 03/15/2019 09:07 AM
The same applies on most of the applications. They sniff steam folder, link user/friends ids and suggest each others.
I think Discord, Ubisoft launcher do the same at least.
But whatever, easy to hate on Epic launcher. Crowd will love this.
Ah, yes, the good old "they did it first, so it must be okay" excuse people learn in kindergarten at the very latest.
They might have wanted to add it as a voluntary feature instead, requiring pressing "Yes" with the option of choosing "No" readily available.
The same applies on most of the applications. They sniff steam folder, link user/friends ids and suggest each others.
I think Discord, Ubisoft launcher do the same at least.
But whatever, easy to hate on Epic launcher. Crowd will love this.
Ah, yes, the good old "they did it first, so it must be okay" excuse people learn in kindergarten at the very latest.
They might have wanted to add it as a voluntary feature instead, requiring pressing "Yes" with the option of choosing "No" readily available.
RealNC
Senior Member
Posts: 2821
Joined: 2011-11-24
Senior Member
Posts: 2821
Joined: 2011-11-24
#5650126 Posted on: 03/15/2019 09:21 AM
The same applies on most of the applications. They sniff steam folder, link user/friends ids and suggest each others.
I think Discord, Ubisoft launcher do the same at least.
And you think that's OK?
The same applies on most of the applications. They sniff steam folder, link user/friends ids and suggest each others.
I think Discord, Ubisoft launcher do the same at least.
And you think that's OK?
sverek
Senior Member
Posts: 4862
Joined: 2011-01-02
Senior Member
Posts: 4862
Joined: 2011-01-02
#5650128 Posted on: 03/15/2019 09:26 AM
No.
Below should be enforced, with Steam API in between for authorization.
Issue is, unless Steam bother to encrypt user data, nobody gives a damn. So I'd rather wonder, why Steam doesn't care about out personal data. Why there no encryption? Why any application can sniff all our Steam data, without requiring Steam to authorize it?
Simpsons did it first.
And you think that's OK?
No.
Below should be enforced, with Steam API in between for authorization.
They might have wanted to add it as a voluntary feature instead, requiring pressing "Yes" with the option of choosing "No" readily available.
Issue is, unless Steam bother to encrypt user data, nobody gives a damn. So I'd rather wonder, why Steam doesn't care about out personal data. Why there no encryption? Why any application can sniff all our Steam data, without requiring Steam to authorize it?
Ah, yes, the good old "they did it first, so it must be okay" excuse people learn in kindergarten at the very latest.
Simpsons did it first.
fantaskarsef
Senior Member
Posts: 10185
Joined: 2014-07-21
Senior Member
Posts: 10185
Joined: 2014-07-21
#5650133 Posted on: 03/15/2019 09:58 AM
You mean steam encrypting their data on our local hard drives so that other programs can't read them, even though they're neither supposed or wished to do so without user consent? Just trying to understand what in particular you want encrypted.
Issue is, unless Steam bother to encrypt user data, nobody gives a damn. So I'd rather wonder, why Steam doesn't care about out personal data. Why there no encryption? Why any application can sniff all our Steam data, without requiring Steam to authorize it?
You mean steam encrypting their data on our local hard drives so that other programs can't read them, even though they're neither supposed or wished to do so without user consent? Just trying to understand what in particular you want encrypted.
WhiteLightning
Moderator
Posts: 27651
Joined: 2007-09-19
Moderator
Posts: 27651
Joined: 2007-09-19
#5650135 Posted on: 03/15/2019 10:01 AM
Besides Epic launcher scanning it (After you press the freaking button mind you, not by default) , the problem is more with steam tbh.
Why on earth do Steam allow 3rd party programs to access Steam cloud and scan for all your games?
If Epic launcher is able to do it, so is anyone else!
Besides Epic launcher scanning it (After you press the freaking button mind you, not by default) , the problem is more with steam tbh.
Why on earth do Steam allow 3rd party programs to access Steam cloud and scan for all your games?
If Epic launcher is able to do it, so is anyone else!
fantaskarsef
Senior Member
Posts: 10185
Joined: 2014-07-21
Senior Member
Posts: 10185
Joined: 2014-07-21
#5650140 Posted on: 03/15/2019 10:17 AM
You mean steam encrypting their data on our local hard drives so that other programs can't read them, even though they're neither supposed or wished to do so without user consent? Just trying to understand what in particular you want encrypted.
Besides Epic launcher scanning it (After you press the freaking button mind you, not by default) , the problem is more with steam tbh.
Why on earth do Steam allow 3rd party programs to access Steam cloud and scan for all your games?
If Epic launcher is able to do it, so is anyone else!
Oh I missed that they scan the cloud as well, my fault @sverek
You mean steam encrypting their data on our local hard drives so that other programs can't read them, even though they're neither supposed or wished to do so without user consent? Just trying to understand what in particular you want encrypted.
Besides Epic launcher scanning it (After you press the freaking button mind you, not by default) , the problem is more with steam tbh.
Why on earth do Steam allow 3rd party programs to access Steam cloud and scan for all your games?
If Epic launcher is able to do it, so is anyone else!
Oh I missed that they scan the cloud as well, my fault @sverek
rl66
Senior Member
Posts: 1984
Joined: 2007-05-31
Senior Member
Posts: 1984
Joined: 2007-05-31
#5650182 Posted on: 03/15/2019 12:51 PM
Steam is clearly the 1st faulty (again and again and again... it must not be coincidencial...) and Epic is not smart be the second one.
Anyway when it's cloud and not secured, it might happen (Despite i hate Steam, it is sadly not the only one)...
Steam is clearly the 1st faulty (again and again and again... it must not be coincidencial...) and Epic is not smart be the second one.
Anyway when it's cloud and not secured, it might happen (Despite i hate Steam, it is sadly not the only one)...
DeskStar
Senior Member
Posts: 527
Joined: 2011-01-11
Senior Member
Posts: 527
Joined: 2011-01-11
#5650188 Posted on: 03/15/2019 01:06 PM
I do not ever remember consenting to/through steam that my information was just up for the grabs of third party software.
*Hold for a bit!!!!
"Goes and writes his own sniffing software for steam and its inability to properly store accessible information" Just had to make sure i got ahead of the masses on this one....
And it would seem that Facebook just got "F'd in the A" with its inability to keep their users data private and or from being douches and trying to sell that garbage..... Facebook.....HA!!! Die social media..... Maybe then people can understand what its like to actually talk to someone face to face on a regular basis.
I do not ever remember consenting to/through steam that my information was just up for the grabs of third party software.
*Hold for a bit!!!!
"Goes and writes his own sniffing software for steam and its inability to properly store accessible information" Just had to make sure i got ahead of the masses on this one....
And it would seem that Facebook just got "F'd in the A" with its inability to keep their users data private and or from being douches and trying to sell that garbage..... Facebook.....HA!!! Die social media..... Maybe then people can understand what its like to actually talk to someone face to face on a regular basis.
Embra
Senior Member
Posts: 807
Joined: 2014-11-19
Senior Member
Posts: 807
Joined: 2014-11-19
#5650195 Posted on: 03/15/2019 01:39 PM
Companies are finding all sorts of ways to make $$$ on our personal information and habits.
Everyone is doing it. Some more carefully than others.
Companies are finding all sorts of ways to make $$$ on our personal information and habits.
Everyone is doing it. Some more carefully than others.
HawaiianBrian
Senior Member
Posts: 238
Joined: 2014-10-22
Senior Member
Posts: 238
Joined: 2014-10-22
#5650280 Posted on: 03/15/2019 04:45 PM
Sure don't miss the constant emails from Epic saying someone is trying to hack my account.
Uninstalled that POS forever.
Sure don't miss the constant emails from Epic saying someone is trying to hack my account.
Uninstalled that POS forever.
D3M1G0D
Senior Member
Posts: 1619
Joined: 2017-03-10
Senior Member
Posts: 1619
Joined: 2017-03-10
#5650288 Posted on: 03/15/2019 04:53 PM
Besides Epic launcher scanning it (After you press the freaking button mind you, not by default) , the problem is more with steam tbh.
Why on earth do Steam allow 3rd party programs to access Steam cloud and scan for all your games?
If Epic launcher is able to do it, so is anyone else!
If I had to guess, I would say it's by design - they allow third party apps to scan user data for integration purposes. It is a little troubling how much data can be gleaned this way, but I guess they want a flexible approach (get lots of data, and then use what you need).
I'm pretty sure that if Valve didn't want other apps sniffing for data they would have implemented the necessary security measures. I can't imagine that this is an oversight.
Besides Epic launcher scanning it (After you press the freaking button mind you, not by default) , the problem is more with steam tbh.
Why on earth do Steam allow 3rd party programs to access Steam cloud and scan for all your games?
If Epic launcher is able to do it, so is anyone else!
If I had to guess, I would say it's by design - they allow third party apps to scan user data for integration purposes. It is a little troubling how much data can be gleaned this way, but I guess they want a flexible approach (get lots of data, and then use what you need).
I'm pretty sure that if Valve didn't want other apps sniffing for data they would have implemented the necessary security measures. I can't imagine that this is an oversight.
Click here to post a comment for this news story on the message forum.
Senior Member
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And that after their big user data breach in 2017? 18? And wegpages from 2004 who were still online last year and vulvernable?
Ask me again if I why I have not the least interest to install that POS software.