Borderlands Maker Denies Spyware Claims

Gearbox Software has issued an official response addressing concerns over recent changes to parent company Take-Two's Terms of Service and allegations that several Borderlands games contain "spyware" functionality.

Posted directly on Steam, where backlash manifested through review-bombing campaigns targeting major Borderlands titles, the statement aims to clarify misinformation while "maintaining transparency and trust with our players." The developer specifically addresses two widespread concerns that have dominated community discussions: data privacy issues and modding restrictions.

The studio opens with definitive clarification: "Take-Two does not implement spyware in any of its games." While acknowledging some data collection occurs, Gearbox emphasizes players shouldn't worry about unauthorized access to their personal information.

"Take-Two discloses these practices in its Privacy Policy both for transparency and legal compliance," explains Gearbox's statement. "Collected data serves to improve services, safeguard gameplay integrity, and enhance player experiences. Additional details are available in the official Privacy Policy."

The clarification continues: "Basic identifiers help our technical teams optimize compatibility across different platforms and browsers. This data helps us understand player behavior patterns and personalize experiences (like properly displaying usernames). Account credentials are only collected from players who voluntarily create Take-Two accounts."

It remains uncertain whether Gearbox's explanation will satisfy critics who reacted strongly to February's Terms of Service update. Regarding modding concerns, the studio adopts a pragmatic position.

"Take-Two prohibits mods that create unfair advantages, disrupt intended gameplay experiences, or illegally access restricted content," the statement reads. "These measures exist solely to preserve fair play standards for our entire community."

This directly responds to worries about broad modding crackdowns, with Gearbox noting Take-Two primarily targets cheating behaviors that degrade multiplayer experiences. The developer explicitly states its parent company "typically doesn't pursue actions against single-player, non-commercial mods that respect intellectual property rights."

AnswerSee Results

Community uproar originally surfaced in May when players discovered Take-Two's updated terms affecting existing titles. Speculation about invasive data collection rapidly spread, sparking organized review campaigns that dropped Borderlands 1-3's Steam ratings to "Mostly Negative" and "Overwhelmingly Negative." While tension temporarily eased, concerns reignited when Borderlands 2 became temporarily free on June 5.

The Borderlands franchise's Steam reviews currently remain predominantly negative despite Gearbox's efforts. The studio continues development on Borderlands 4, scheduled for September release. Interested players can view recent gameplay footage and announcements from April 2025's State of Play presentation.