If by "keep track" you mean "runs a registry and hardware check when you answer 'yes' on the Steam survey popup the odd month or so".

Which is why I mentioned you could opt out of it.

I'm pretty sure that other software I've installed has done the same thing - and I'm talking the likes of iTunes, not some really dubious program.

Implying that iTunes isn't a really dubious program...

This isn't going to stop me from getting Battlefield 3, good thing I primarily game on the console.

I think Ea doesn't understand that my desire to injure them outweighs my desire to play any games they publish.

Origin isn't the only software that does this.

From Steam's EULA:


7. USER GENERATED INFORMATION

"User Generated Information" means any information made available to other users through your use of multi-user features of Steam or to Valve through your use of the Software. User Generated Information may include, but is not limited to, chat, forum posts, screen names, game selections, player performances, usage data, suggestions about Valve products or services, and error notifications. Subject to the Valve privacy policy referenced in Section 1 above, as applicable, you expressly grant Valve the complete and irrevocable right to use, reproduce, modify, create derivative works from, distribute, transmit, broadcast, and otherwise communicate, and publicly display and perform the User Generated Information and derivative works thereof in any form, anywhere, with or without attribution to you, and without any notice or compensation to you of any kind.

Wow, did no one read Alecto's post from page one? I ask because I keep seeing people post that they are happy that they went with Steam instead of EA/Origin. Oh and I bolded (is that a word?) and underlined one of my favorite parts. And no I'm not one of those anti-Steam people I have several games from Steam that I play a lot. EA will never get another dollar from me again though (has nothing to do with current topic).

Soooo.... what you're saying is that EA is becoming the next Apple?

CLARIFICATION: That comment is directed at the OP.

Another one of the many reasons why I will never use Steam or Origins.

Considering I didn't say anything in the OP I don't know what you're getting at?

If you read the End User License Agreement for Origin it states that by installing Origin you're giving EA the right to monitor your PC and to make a profile of you, including what programs you have installed (and whether you have any illegally downloaded material), what websites you use, etc., and that EA reserves the right to share or sell this information to third parties.

Well, you had this little gem in post 0:


Apple does this to their stuff (like iPods, iPhones, Macs, etc.) where they keep a history of stuff you like using, apps you download, browsing history on Safari, as well as your GPS location and personal information, and they will at times share any and all of this information with third parties. I'm not sure about programs installed and a check against pirated software (mostly because I jailbroke my iPod to disable the GPS tracking, ending my worries), but they might. But, all in all, thank you for bringing this to my attention; this adds to the reason that EA will forever be infidelity worse than Activision.

It was a quote I never "said" anything, I thought people would be interested in the situation so I quoted something I found on Reddit. I don't use or have any Apple products or software for various reasons, but I can add this to the list now.

Reddit brings us another gift:
http://i.imgur.com/WuRum.jpg

I, admittedly, have not read nor do I have the inclination to read their EULA at this point. I'm not sure if it's a sensationalist headline or if it's 100% true. At this point I'm just curious to see how it pans out. I probably should have included this in the OP, but oh well. I think the main concern with this over what Valve does is that EA never came out and said it and they never gave you the option to opt out. Whereas Valve does both.

Origin is invasive enough without this data collection.

Wait.... you're not even sure of the accuracy of this, and without reading any primary information, you decided to spread this to a community that you know is very touchy about this? You sir, should have a job at a major American news network (Fox, MSNBC, CNN, idc which, just pick the one you like the most).

Consent to Collection and Use of Data.

You agree that EA may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information that identifies your computer (including the Internet Protocol Address), operating system, Application usage (including but not limited to successful installation and/or removal), software, software usage and peripheral hardware, that may be gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, dynamically served content, product support and other services to you, including online services. EA may also use this information combined with personal information for marketing purposes and to improve our products and services. We may also share that data with our third party service providers in a form that does not personally identify you. IF YOU DO NOT WANT EA TO COLLECT, USE, STORE, TRANSMIT OR DISPLAY THE DATA DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, PLEASE DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THE APPLICATION. This and all other data provided to EA and/or collected by EA in connection with your installation and use of this Application is collected, used, stored and transmitted in accordance with EA’s Privacy Policy located at www.ea.com. To the extent that anything in this section conflicts with the terms of EA’s Privacy Policy, the terms of the Privacy Policy shall control.

How? It's like Steam. Unless there's something I'm missing.

Also could someone reference the actual line in the EULA that states that?

I've just had problems with it. It's been slow, hard to close, annoying to navigate... I don't know, maybe it's just me. But I've hated every second of using it, as opposed to Steam's relatively streamlined performance and UI.