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.”
Senior Member
Posts: 6073
Joined: 2011-01-02
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.
Senior Member
Posts: 12996
Joined: 2014-07-21
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

Senior Member
Posts: 6073
Joined: 2011-01-02

Thank you.
Senior Member
Posts: 2901
Joined: 2013-03-10
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.
Senior Member
Posts: 12996
Joined: 2014-07-21
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.