Gearbox Software responds to concerns regarding spyware in Borderlands 4

Concerns about Take-Two Interactive's policies, particularly regarding potential surveillance in Borderlands 4, have been addressed by Gearbox Software.

A post on Steam dated September 11, 2025, outlined the official Borderlands response, aiming to reassure fans and maintain trust.

The post clarified that Gearbox Software has no intention of embedding spyware in Borderlands 4 to collect user information for its parent company, Take-Two Interactive.

According to Gearbox Software, "Take-Two does not employ spyware." The statement noted that the company's privacy policy outlines potential data collection practices, but these do not apply uniformly across all its games or services.

The privacy policy signifies a commitment to transparency and adherence to legal standards. Data collection is positioned as essential for delivering services, protecting game integrity, and enhancing user experience.

Players raised apprehensions regarding Take-Two’s terms of service after updates in February 2025, following Take-Two's acquisition of Gearbox in March 2024.

This led to significant user backlash, including a series of critical reviews on Steam, fueled by misinformation on platforms like forums and one YouTube video titled "Take Two Spies On Borderlands Players."

Niet alleen op het gebied van privacy werd verduidelijking gegeven, maar ook ten opzichte van mods, aangezien er zorgen waren dat de nieuwe voorwaarden nadelig zouden uitpakken voor modders.

Per Gearbox's statement, modifications that provide unfair advantages or disrupt the game environment are prohibited. However, the company does not generally penalize mods that are non-commercial, respect intellectual property rights, and function solely in a single-player context.