Borderlands 2 Review Bombed Over Privacy Fears

Patrick.Yu

Recently, Borderlands 2 was free to claim on Steam until June 8, but the giveaway has sparked more controversy than celebration. Once known as one of the best looter shooters of its generation, the game is now at the center of a major review bombing campaign.

Thousands of players are flooding Steam with negative reviews. The reason? A recent update to the game’s Terms of Service has caused some fans to ask, Does Borderlands 2 have spyware? Others are going even further, calling the game spyware outright.

Let’s break down what’s happening, what changed, and whether these fears are based in fact.

Why are gamers upset?

Since early June, Borderlands 2 has seen a big drop in recent Steam reviews. While it still holds a “Very Positive” rating overall, reviews from the past few weeks have been mostly negative. From June 5 to June 6, nearly 2,000 users left negative feedback, compared to fewer than 300 positive reviews.

The issue is not with the game’s content or performance. It’s with the legal agreement that players must accept when launching the game. Fans say the new Terms of Service give the publisher, Take-Two Interactive, too much access to user data. Some even say it turns the game into spyware.

This has led to trending questions like “Is Borderlands 2 spyware?” and “Does Borderlands 2 have spyware?” across Reddit, Twitter, and gaming forums.

What changed in the terms?

In late February 2025, Take-Two updated its End User License Agreement (EULA) for all Borderlands titles. Players noticed the changes only recently, when the game was made free and a new pop-up asked them to agree to the terms before continuing.

The most controversial part of the EULA is a clause that restricts cheats and mods. It reads:

“You will not use exploits or illegal or unauthorized means to interfere with or adversely impact any other user’s ability to use the services… This includes the use of cheats or so-called ‘mod menus’, unauthorized mods, hacks, glitches, or any other technical exploits…”

Many fans believe this is a sign that the company wants to block modding. Others are more concerned about what kind of data the game collects. Some claim the new policy lets Take-Two gather system information, IP addresses, and even browsing activity.

What are the spyware claims?

The core issue behind the review bombing is privacy. Some players believe that Take-Two is using the updated EULA to collect personal data, possibly at a deep system level. These claims were fueled by a viral video from a YouTuber named Hellfire, who suggested the new terms allowed for spyware-like behavior.

The idea that Borderlands 2 could be spyware has spread quickly. Players are using this language in their reviews and social media posts. Some have even gone as far as uninstalling all Take-Two games from their libraries.

However, the term “spyware” may not be accurate. While the EULA does allow for some data collection, this is common across many major publishers. EA, Ubisoft, and Activision all include similar clauses in their games.

What do modders say?

Not everyone in the community agrees with the panic. Two well-known modders, Epic and Apple1417, say the backlash is based on old information. According to them, the clause about mods and cheats has been in the agreement for years. They argue that nothing important has changed.

Apple1417 shared a message on Discord saying, “There is nothing different about it compared to what was there previously.” They also said it would not affect Borderlands 2 mods in any way.

Gearbox, the developer of Borderlands 2, has always allowed fans to create and use mods. Many players use them to adjust gameplay or add new content, and the community has built a strong ecosystem around them.

So far, there has been no action from Take-Two or Gearbox against mod creators. This suggests that the new language is not aimed at punishing modders, but rather at preventing cheating in online sessions.

What does Gearbox say?

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford addressed the issue briefly, saying that the new terms were created by the publisher, not the developer. He also denied that the game contains spyware or any type of hidden tracking software.

However, some players are still skeptical. They point out that Borderlands 2 is mostly a single-player and co-op game, so there is little need for strict anti-cheat rules. They also question why the changes were introduced now, more than a decade after the game’s release.

Some believe the free giveaway was timed to encourage more users to accept the new terms without reading them closely.

Is Borderlands 2 actually spyware?

The short answer is no, Borderlands 2 is not spyware.

The longer answer is that while the EULA does allow Take-Two to collect system data, this is not unusual in today’s gaming world. Most online-connected games include similar terms. The key difference here is that players were not expecting such changes in a 13-year-old title.

Still, the backlash shows that trust matters. Even if the terms are common, the way they were presented has made players feel uneasy. Many people just want to enjoy the game without feeling like they are giving up their privacy.

Should you still play it?

Despite the drama, Borderlands 2 remains one of the best looter shooters out there. Its fast-paced combat, humorous story, and deep character builds have earned it a loyal fanbase. If you have not played it yet, now is a great time to try it.

Just be sure to read the terms before clicking "Accept." If privacy is a big concern for you, consider playing offline or looking into what data the game might collect.

Final Thoughts

The current review bombing of Borderlands 2 shows how sensitive players have become to data privacy and modding rights. While the game is not spyware, the lack of clear communication has caused confusion and frustration.

Whether this will affect future titles like Borderlands 4 is still unknown. But one thing is clear: players want more transparency, not just fun gameplay.

If you’re wondering, Does Borderlands 2 have spyware? The answer is no. But the conversation that started is worth paying attention to.

Recommended Products

Nitro 60 Buy Now	Triton 14 Buy Now