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Added Grand Theft Auto to the list affected by the Take Two EULA update.
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'''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video game publisher based in New York City. Known for action-adventure game franchises is ''Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.''
{{StubNotice}}


todo: insert infobox
{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
| Type = Holding Company
| Founded = 1993
| Industry = Video games
| Official Website = https://www.take2games.com/
| Logo = Take-Two_Interactive_logo.png
}}


'''[[wikipedia:Take-Two_Interactive|Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.]]''' is an NYC-based video game holding company founded by Ryan Brant in September 1993. The company owns three major publishing labels, [[Rockstar Games]], Zynga and 2K, which operate internal game development studios.
==Relevant incidents==
==Relevant incidents==


===GTA 4 content removal===
Incidents not mentioned here can be found on the [[:Category:Take-Two Interactive|Take-Two Interactive]] category page.
todo: removing content after purchase. <ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref>


===''GTA 5 move to Kernel-level Anti-Cheat on PC after purchase''===
2K Games - exclusivity contracts (stub)
GTA 5 was released 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented controversial update to include more invasive and dangerous kernel mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>


This update retroactively restricts online usage to Windows OS, despite being fully functional on alternative OS's like Linux and SteamOS. Despite Rockstar's claim that GTA 5 Online is not supported by steam deck<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref>, GTA 5 Online did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye actually is compatible with Linux <ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref> and compatibility can be enabled via email<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref>, yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.  
Much like with EA, 2K has also purchased exclusivity contracts with sports [https://www.operationsports.com/the-nba-and-2k-have-agreed-to-a-huge-new-license-deal-what-does-it-mean/ leagues], thus also restricting options for consumers. (Maybe mention pga or wwe?)


In response, Valve has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.
2k - personal data breaches (stub)


Additionally, Anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with the ability to scan user's files and processes, including hardware identifier's, according to the privacy policy<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref>: <blockquote>
[https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rockstar-owner-take-twos-hacking-woes-continue-as-2k-confirm-attack-on-their-support-service ref a] [https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2k-confirms-user-data-stolen-and-placed-on-sale-after-recent-security-breach ref b]
*IP address
*Game identifiers (e.g. in-game name, account ID, etc.)
*Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g. serial numbers)
*Information about the running operating system
*Information about game-related and operating-system-related files and memory
*Information about running processes, drivers and other executable code
*File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating system user name
</blockquote>Due to the inherent privacy and security risks associated with Kernel-mode anti-cheat, increasingly players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of Kernel mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers/publishers to disclose the use of more invasive Kernel-Mode Anti-Cheat solutions <ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category.


If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernal mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contain vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, much beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user mode permissions.
2k - faulty game launcher (stub)


Even Rockstars own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only furthering risk to player.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>
[https://www.pcgamer.com/2ks-quality-of-life-change-for-bioshock-is-that-linux-users-cant-play-it-anymore/ Ref]
 
2k - shuttered studios (stub)
 
[[wikipedia:2K_(company)|Wikipedia page ref]](note: use as springboard, find dedicated sources for history of buyouts and shuttering)
 
General - Microtransactions (MTX) and lootboxes (stub)
 
[https://screenrant.com/nba-2k-take-two-microtransactions-lawsuit-sports/ Ref] | should cover all 3 major companies owned by T2, ref covers 2k. Zynga's pioneering of predatory mtx needs to be covered (see cityville and Farmville games.) Rockstar, shark cards in GTAO? No clue how we could shoehorn this one.
 
 
Borderlands Series - Terms of Service changes and alleged spyware 2025-Apr
https://medium.com/@DarkRa/why-gamers-are-furious-over-take-two-and-2ks-new-terms-of-service-051e7a6a5594
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKMhqKzHxs&pp=ygUMdGFrZSB0d28gdG9z
 
Risk of Rain 2 - EULA update, which is the same as the Borderlands Series.
 
Grand Theft Auto also has the same EULA update from Take Two Interactive as the Borderlands Series and Risk of Rain.


==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
=Take-Two Interactive Software Privacy Policy Update=
Last Update: February 2025
==Categories of Information Collected==
The type of information we collect depends on how you use the Services. Generally, we collect the following information:
*'''Identifiers / Contact Information''': Name, user name, gamertag, postal and email address, phone number, unique IDs, mobile device ID, platform ID, gaming service ID, advertising ID (IDFA, Android ID) and IP address
*'''Protected Characteristics''': Age and gender
*'''Commercial Information''': Purchase and usage history and preferences, including gameplay information
*'''Billing Information''': Payment information (credit / debit card information) and shipping address
*'''Internet / Electronic Activity''': Web / app browsing and gameplay information related to the Services; information about your online interaction(s) with the Services or our advertising; and details about the games and platforms you use and other information related to installed applications
*'''Device and Usage Data''': Device type, software and hardware details, language settings, browser type and version, operating system, and information about how users use and interact with the Services (e.g., content viewed, pages visited, clicks, scrolls)
*'''Profile Inferences''': Inferences made from your information and web activity to help create a personalized profile so we can identify goods and services that may be of interest
*'''Audio / Visual Information''': Account photos, images, and avatars, audio information via chat features and functionality, and gameplay recordings and video footage (such as when you participate in playtesting)
*'''Sensitive Information''': Precise location information (if you allow the Services to collect your location), account credentials (user name and password), and contents of communications via chat features and functionality.
What  makes them different from a virus?
Here's a comparison between the '''data collected by a RAT (Remote Access Trojan), a Trojan''', and what is described in the '''privacy policy''':
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Data Type'''
!'''Keylogger'''
!'''Spyware'''
!'''RAT'''
!'''Info-Stealer'''
!'''Trojan'''
!'''Adware (Tracking)'''
!'''Network Sniffer'''
!'''Rootkit'''
!'''Browser Hijacker'''
!'''Privacy Policy'''
|-
|'''Identifiers / Contact Info'''
|❌
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅ (via packet capture)
|✅ (indirectly)
|✅
|✅
|-
|'''Protected Characteristics'''
|❌
|⚠️ (inferred)
|❌
|❌
|❌
|✅ (from browsing)
|❌
|❌
|✅ (e.g., age from browsing)
|✅
|-
|'''Commercial Info (Purchases)'''
|✅ (if typed)
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|-
|'''Billing Info'''
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|❌
|✅
|✅
|❌
|✅
|-
|'''Internet / Electronic Activity'''
|❌
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|-
|'''Device & Usage Data'''
|❌
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|⚠️ (indirect)
|✅
|✅
|✅
|-
|'''Profile Inferences'''
|❌
|
{| class="wikitable"
|⚠️ (inference)
|}
|✅
|❌
|✅ (less common)
|✅
|❌
|❌
|✅
|✅
|-
|'''Audio / Visual Info'''
|❌
|✅ (screenshots)
|✅ (cam/mic access)
|❌
|Possibly
|❌
|❌
|✅ (via control)
|❌
|✅
|-
|'''Sensitive Info (Location, Credentials)'''
|✅ (typed)
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅
|Possibly
|✅
|✅
|✅
|✅ (with consent)
|}
Sources:
https://www.take2games.com/legal/en-US/#10-availability
https://www.take2games.com/privacy/en-US/
[[Category:Take-Two Interactive]]
Retrieved from "https://consumerrights.wiki/Take_Two"