These days featured a news that NVIDIA seemed to be spying on us with new telemetry system integrated into the GeForce Experience utility that is provided as part of the installation of new versions of their drivers.
This telemetry system, claimed some media, he devoted himself to collecting data from our activity that NVIDIA could then be used widely. An analysis of its operation however seems to make clear that the data collected does not violate the user’s privacy, so the company – which also wanted to clarify the matter – is not doing anything suspicious.
The controversy is served
The debate was raised a few days ago in Major Geeks appeared an article in which it indicated how this telemetry system was new and did not clarify what was used, and also indicated how to disable these options.
The debate on Reddit seemed to say that NVIDIA was collecting personal information that went beyond information using the card, something that could be worrisome. Although telemetry is reputed to be synonymous with “espionage” by that data traffic that is sent and received constantly with these tools, the reality is different.
The problem, as indicated cautiously in that original article, was the fact that so far the data collection was not needed before this. In addition, they added in that article, with the drivers were still installing the NVIDIA Wireless Controller (only valid if we have an NVIDIA wireless card, something unusual), as well as ShadowPlay services, which allow you to capture and record photos and videos of games, Something that Windows 10 itself facilitates since its release.
What is NVIDIA really gathering?
However, a deeper analysis of this system showed that there was no danger. Gamers Nexus was studied in packet transfer with WireShark tool and there it became clear that the GeForce Experience tool, and not as such- controllers were connected to servers NVIDIA, among other things, to obtain images of the games that are Showed in utility.
Besides that you collected information from your computer: what kind of graphics we (make and model), its operating frequency, brand and resolution of your screen, applications and games installed, or the characteristics of our CPU, memory or plate base.
One of the fundamental differences in the new GeForce Experience 3.0 is the fact that registration is now necessary for a user to use it, including the login to use Shadowplay.
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NVIDIA clarifies the situation
Those responsible for this analysis contacted the company to try to clarify what was happening with this new version of that utility. In response, the NVIDIA itself stated the following regarding the data collected:
GeForce Experience collects data to enhance the application experience; This includes crash and crash reports as well as system information needed to provide the right drivers and optimum settings. NVIDIA does not share any personally identifiable information collected by the GeForce Experience with anyone outside of our company. NVIDIA can share aggregate data with specific partners, but does not share data at the user level.
The nature of the shared information has remained consistent since the GeForce Experience 1.0 presentation. The change in GeForce Experience 3.0 is so that data collection and error reporting is now performed in real time.
These “data at the aggregate level” refers to data that help you make global conclusions, such as NVIDIA explained, the fact that there are 80 million users of GeForce Experience utility. This explanation is consistent with the privacy policy that NVIDIA offers on its official website.
The findings of the analysis are clear: both personal data (our system) and aggregates are collected in a reasonable manner, and can help developers for example to know how to play the majority of its members. As those responsible for the analysis point out logically, we must rely on NVIDIA and that indeed that collection of personal and aggregate data is used as dictated by its privacy policy.
Concern over the issue is therefore exaggerated, and if you use graphics from NVIDIA and that application can be reasonably quiet, at least if you trust the above terms of use and privacy policies of the company.
