Borderlands 4, anticipated to be a major release of 2025, has encountered a challenging start. The game has received significant backlash on Steam, primarily due to concerns over its PC optimization. Adding to its woes, vocal online fans have now accused Borderlands 4 of containing spyware. These allegations have become so widespread that publisher Take-Two Interactive felt compelled to issue a formal statement denying them.
The core of the controversy stems from Borderlands 4`s kernel-level anti-cheat system. Some users claim this system has been modified to illicitly collect player data. Further fueling suspicions, the game`s recently updated terms of service were cited as additional evidence that the game might be used for player surveillance, prompting Take-Two`s swift response.
In a statement released on Steam, a Take-Two spokesperson asserted, “Take-Two does not use spyware in its games.” The company clarified that its comprehensive Privacy Policy applies across all its labels, studios, games, and services, encompassing console, PC, mobile apps, and websites. While the Privacy Policy identifies various data activities that *may* be collected, Take-Two emphasized that this does not imply every single example is collected in every specific game or service.
Take-Two openly acknowledges that it does collect certain user information, explaining that this is done “to deliver its services to players,” which includes crucial features like personalization and compatibility options. The company maintains that its practice is to transparently disclose all such information to its fanbase within the terms of service.
PC Gamer reported that the recent surge in spyware accusations originated from “a misleading YouTube video prompting fans to play a game of telephone about the changes to the EULA over Reddit and forum threads, and a bout of short-lived Steam review bombing that hasn’t accomplished much of anything.” This suggests the rumors may have spread through misinformation.
It`s worth noting that similar concerns regarding older games from Take-Two had surfaced earlier in the summer, which were met with essentially the same denial from the company. Take-Two also took the opportunity to reaffirm that its updated terms are designed to target “abusive mods” that infringe upon the company`s intellectual property, while explicitly allowing single-player, non-commercial mods to be freely distributed among players.
For players experiencing difficulties, Gearbox has proactively shared resources including links for optimizing NVIDIA graphics card settings and a comprehensive PC troubleshooting guide to help ensure a smoother gaming experience.
