EPTRazer (is not really) spying on customers - Page 3
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The extent to which Razer collects information is not much different than your average terms of service for most software you use. Like teamliquid, they collect anonymous aggregate and individual data. Unlike teamliquid, they reserve the right to collect personally identifiable information. This personally identifiable information must be volunteered by the user. This includes, your name, email address etc. This information is not shared with any third parties except in a few instances where it is necessary to provide a service or comply with the law. In all circumstances, the user voluntarily provides this information. The relevant sections of the ToS are as follows: + Show Spoiler + “personally identifiable information” may consist of a Subscriber’s name, email address, physical address or other data about the Subscriber that enables the Subscriber to be personally identified. By using Razer Synapse 2.0 (“Synapse”), the Subscriber agrees that Razer may collect aggregate information, individual information, and personally identifiable information. Razer may share aggregate information and individual information with other parties. Razer shall not share personally identifiable information with other parties, except as described in the policy below. Razer may use customer contact information provided by Subscribers to send information about Razer, including news about product updates, contests, events, and other promotional materials, but only if the Subscriber agrees to receive such communications. Except in the cases described below, Razer will not share personally identifiable information with any third party unless the Subscriber agrees to such disclosure in advance. While provision of personally identifiable information remains entirely voluntary, Razer reserves the right to make access to certain value-added services or features conditional upon the supply of personally identifiable information. In such situations, the Subscriber will be given the option to decline use of the particular value added service or feature if he does not wish to furnish personally identifiable information. In some situations, personally identifiable information the Subscriber inputs in connection with Synapse may be made searchable or otherwise available to other Subscribers (such as in certain public functions). Razer has no obligation to keep the privacy of personally identifiable information that is made available by a Subscriber to other Subscribers. Collection of personally identifiable information may be out-sourced to associates under agreement with Razer. These associates may adhere to their own set of privacy policies. Personally identifiable information will be processed and stored by Razer in databases hosted in secure locations. Razer has taken reasonable steps to protect the information Subscribers share with it, including, but not limited to, setup of processes, equipment and software to avoid unauthorized access or disclosure of this information. Razer may allow third parties performing services under contract with Razer to access stored information but such access shall only be to the extent necessary to provide those services. In those instances, the third party will be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy. Razer may release personally identifiable information to comply with court orders or laws that require us to disclose such information, without the need of consent from the Subscriber. | ||
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nGBeast
United States914 Posts
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Tuczniak
1561 Posts
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Grollicus
Germany287 Posts
On November 03 2012 23:05 nGBeast wrote: People are so fucking paranoid these days. Reddit, facebook, and google all farm your personal info and your going to make a stink of razer doing it? lol jesus Well, im not on reddit, facebook and google and still like my razer mouse.. Still, its a piece of HARDWARE wtf why does it need internetz? Thats just plain stupid. | ||
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zeru
8156 Posts
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schimmetje
Netherlands1104 Posts
On November 03 2012 22:54 Newbistic wrote: Pretty much this. It's an unnecessary transfer of data that has a potential (however miniscule) of falling into the wrong hands. There's no benefit to be derived by the consumers from hardware companies harvesting this type of data. There is no "this type of data" specified, so you can't make a value judgement (feel free to go do actual research, but there is none right now). In the meantime, the terms are there because it's required these days for companies to cover their ass, for any type of transmission. This also does not give us any information about what's actually happening. Now I'm not saying there is no inappropriate data transmitted, companies are pretty incompetent in this regard. At the same time, it could only be update information or some such (edit: oh it's memory actually, makes sense). The only verified issue here is that they ask you to create an account which comes with broad terms you may not like. Making a big stink about it and bashing others for pointing out you've agreed to tons of terms like these (because, again, they're more or less required these days) is the real pathetic thing. But then, we have gone like 2 days without something like this I guess so it's about time. | ||
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Navane
Netherlands2761 Posts
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gawk
Germany310 Posts
On November 03 2012 23:15 zeru wrote: If you actually have read the thread you would know that it doesnt need internets. Except you need internet to initialize the software that lets you set up the features that make up the price you paid for the mouse. And because you read the first post of this thread you know that someone who bought the mouse for $80 was not able to do so because activation servers were not working. | ||
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schimmetje
Netherlands1104 Posts
Razer Synapse 2.0 is cutting-edge intuitive proprietary software that functions as the Razer Naga’s brain automatically syncing the gaming mouse to a cloud server to download driver and firmware updates, as well as save individual gamer settings without you needing to lift a finger. It's right there. Learn to read. | ||
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Desiire
Australia191 Posts
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reki-
Netherlands327 Posts
On November 03 2012 23:32 gawk wrote: Except you need internet to initialize the software that lets you set up the features that make up the price you paid for the mouse. And because you read the first post of this thread you know that someone who bought the mouse for $80 was not able to do so because activation servers were not working. Requiring "authentication" for hardware like mouse/keyboard/printer is and will be forever silly | ||
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Fleshcut
Germany592 Posts
This is a pretty huge deal. I use mostly Razer products myself but will not buy any new product off them since these methods of customer spying are completely ridiculous in my eyes. Also forcing customers to create an account and log in to their server over internet to be able to configure your devices is completely retarded. Exactly. I don't know why companies do this backdoor shit. They might claim that everybody knew about this who read their new customer blablabla but if they were honest, they'd admit that they know that nobody reads that shit xD Back when my Steelseries headset bite the dust I decided to buy only razer stuff from now on which resulted in a new razer mouse and the blackwidow keyboard. Now I'll swing back to steelseries or Roccat or whatever else is out there =) | ||
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Sejanus
Lithuania550 Posts
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gawk
Germany310 Posts
On November 03 2012 23:35 schimmetje wrote: Best part is it's even on the description of the product. So you *know* this if you read what you buy: Razer Synapse 2.0 is cutting-edge intuitive proprietary software that functions as the Razer Naga’s brain automatically syncing the gaming mouse to a cloud server to download driver and firmware updates, as well as save individual gamer settings without you needing to lift a finger. It's right there. Learn to read. That does not say you need internet to use the mouse properly. As in the op: Nowhere on the box does it say anything about needing an internet connection to "activate" a mouse. If the servers go down in the future, anyone who buys this mouse is out of luck. | ||
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Ayaz2810
United States2763 Posts
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openbox1
1393 Posts
First, Synapses 2.0 runs the program upon boot and I have one more window to close at start-up. 2nd, contrary to what some people are confused about, you can't program the additional buttons without the Synapses 2.0 software. So unless you're happy to just get functionality with 2 buttons on a 15+ button mouse, and lose all led lightning, you're really crippling the product without registration. I have occasionally had screen popups about new updates to Synapses pop up. What's irritating is that the software requires a full reboot upon update. Also, everytime they configure a new default macro setting for individual games BF3, Diablo 3 etc... Synapses 2.0 tells me to update and reboot. That's alot of reboots for someone who leaves his computer on 24/7. I'm sure there are options to remove alerts/updates but for the vast majority of users, I doubt they'll delve deeply into the software to unmark those checkboxes. Really Razer should make their software less intrusive. I think having an online profile might be useful so you can share the settings across computers, but make it optional not compulsory. People have never liked being forced to do something and given Razer makes very replaceable commodity products, I would think they'd like to stop pissing off their fan base. The Naga molten will be my last razer product as a result of this lousy experience. Will be trying out Steelseries or Logitech given everyone raves about their products. | ||
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Kich
United States339 Posts
On November 03 2012 21:39 ZwuckeL wrote: there is no other way to configure a razer product but through their drivers. (DPI, macros, buttons) New procuts by razer will only work using that said new software. in they Terms of Usage they say that they are allowed to grab pretty much any information system AND PERSONAL related and use it to their own needs. this is on no way compareable to diablo3 which just needs u to be online while playing. No it doesn't. You should read it again. It says they can collect it (most companies do, shocker!) and they can share anything BUT personal information except by a reasonable guideline that every other company that collects personally identifiable data does (Facebook, Blizzard, pretty much any site you write your name and address on, herp derp). It's like, people don't even stop to think about things anymore, they just go into this flight or fight primal instinct mode where they all turn into scared squirrels and freak out about the littlest things. People are just dying for something to have an uproar about because their lives are actually this boring and meaningless. Find something else to do with your time, all of you, who are digging with spy glasses to find something unreasonable or unfair about this policy. Or better yet, don't buy a fucking Naga because the mouse is awful. If you're any good at whatever game you're trying to play with it, you legit don't need that many buttons to play at a professional level, no one does. I played a Hunter in WOW, they had over 65 necessary hot keys in order to function properly (IE: at a high level) and the naga's 24 buttons weren't even -close- to being needed. | ||
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schimmetje
Netherlands1104 Posts
On November 03 2012 23:40 gawk wrote: That does not say you need internet to use the mouse properly. As in the op: It does actually. It literally says in the product description on every online store (and thus very likely the box, though I don't have it, feel free to prove me wrong) that to use the Synapse software you access a cloud server. Omg. You people are giving me a headache. | ||
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Djzapz
Canada10681 Posts
I'm done buying Razer products. Cheers. *Because of the always online BS for a mouse. I don't care if it's not all their products, that's just shoddy. | ||
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Praetorial
United States4241 Posts
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EAGER-beaver
Canada2799 Posts
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