The non-personally identifiable information that EA collects includes technical and related information that identifies your computer (including the Internet Protocol Address) and operating system, as well as information about your Application usage (including but not limited to successful installation and/or removal), software, software usage and peripheral hardware.

In addition to information that you give EA directly, EA collects nonpersonally identifiable (or anonymous) information for purposes of improving our products and services, providing services to you, facilitating the provision of software updates, dynamically served content and product support as well as communicating with you.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/113314-EA-Changes-Origin-Terms-of-Services-Forbids-Class-Action-Lawsuits

Electronic Arts has modified the Origin terms of service to forbid its users from filing class action lawsuits against the company.

A couple of weeks ago, Sony updated the PlayStation Network terms of service with a clause that forces users to waive their right to file class action lawsuits against the company. Instead, disputes must be resolved individually through arbitration, a process when tends to favor corporations over individuals. It sounds a bit dodgy but the change came about thanks to recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled in a separate case that such conditions are enforceable.

Recognizing a good idea when it sees one, Electronic Arts has now made similar changes to the Origin terms of service. Under "Section 20: Dispute Resolution by Binding Arbitration," the ToS now compels users to "expressly waive the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action." Instead, all disputes that cannot be straightened out through "informal negotiations" will be "finally and exclusively resolved by binding arbitration."

In case that's not clear enough in itself, the document also states, in bold face and all caps, "You understand that by this provision, you and EA are foregoing the right to sue in court and have a trial by jury."

There are some limitations; you're exempt from these restrictions if you happen to live in Quebec, Russia, Switzerland or the Member States of the European Union, which apparently take a dim view on allowing people to forfeit their legal rights with a blind click-through. Ha.

It's refreshing to see EA once again embracing their all-out evil image.  At least they're not pretending anymore. 

There's an interesting update: a ban on a community forum means EA can turn off your ability to play any and all EA games that have and/or require an online connection.

A poster who criticised a developer recently got banned out of all his games:

http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/440342.page

I hate bullies.

Wow. I had already decided never to buy EA again.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/10/03/using-hacked-bf3-servers-banhammer/#more-76122

Amazing.