A non-governmental organization has lodged a complaint against Ubisoft, raising issues regarding data protection and the company's requirement for "always online" connections

The NOYB - European Center for Digital Rights, a privacy-focused organization, has initiated a legal complaint against Ubisoft, contending that the company's method of collecting data lacks a legitimate legal basis.

The complaint highlights the compulsory online connectivity for the game Far Cry Primal, which cannot be played offline or without an Ubisoft account, despite being a single-player game. NOYB argues that it is unreasonable for users to need internet access to play such a game, particularly when it doesn't offer any online features.

According to a report by Eurogamer, a "tech-savvy" user, identified as the complainant, scrutinized the types of data being transmitted to Ubisoft while playing. During a 10-minute gameplay session, the user found that 150 DNS packages were exchanged, with 56 attempts to connect their computer to external servers, involving Google, Amazon, and Datadog as data recipients.

Upon questioning what these packets contained, Ubisoft clarified that the transmissions are part of an ownership verification process on their servers, confirming the player's entitlement to access the game.

NOYB criticized Ubisoft for not sufficiently explaining the necessity of sending data between the player and external entities such as Google servers. The lawsuit demands punitive measures against Ubisoft for potentially affecting millions with these practices and calls for adherence to the European GDPR, likening the data practices to unauthorized entry.

"Entering a home without permission constitutes trespassing," NOYB stated. "The same principle should apply to digital environments, mirroring the legality of actions in the physical world." The organization insists that regulations applicable offline should equivalently apply online.

In related events, earlier this month Ubisoft issued a response to a class action lawsuit filed in California. The legal action pertains to the termination of online services for the 2014 racing game, The Crew, and Ubisoft has subsequently moved to have the case dismissed. For more details, reference can be made to the initial lawsuit and their response.