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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteGearbox says Take-Two does not use spyware in its games, but that denial is the company’s position—not the result of a published independent technical audit of Borderlands 4. The dispute centers on how to interpret Take-Two’s privacy disclosures: the company says they describe data activities that may occur across its games and services, not practices that necessarily apply to every title.
What Gearbox said about spyware
In a statement reported by PC Gamer on September 11, 2025, Gearbox said: “Take-Two does not use spyware in its games.” The statement addressed concerns about Take-Two’s updated terms and privacy disclosures amid discussion around Borderlands 4.
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The company’s explanation was that its privacy policy describes data activities that may be used across its products and services, rather than confirming that each example applies to every game. As the statement put it, “The Privacy Policy identifies the data activities that may be collected but this does not mean that every example is collected in each game or service.”
What data does Take-Two collect?
Take-Two says it collects some information to provide services, protect game environments, check compatibility, and support player experience and personalization. In a community explanation reproduced on Reddit, the company gave player and device identifiers as examples. It also said account credentials are collected from people who choose to create Take-Two accounts.
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Those descriptions are company statements about its data practices; they do not establish which data Borderlands 4 collects, how the game implements collection, or whether the practice meets a technical definition of spyware. The policy’s broad list and a title-specific account of actual collection are different kinds of evidence.
Does Borderlands 4 have spyware?
Gearbox and Take-Two deny that Take-Two uses spyware in its games. The sources reporting that denial do not include an independent technical audit of Borderlands 4, so they do not independently verify the game’s telemetry or settle the question through technical testing. The careful conclusion is that the company rejects the allegation, while the available reporting does not establish what data the game itself collects.
Rank #2
- Enter the stadium and take part of one of the biggest competitions across 34 sports: from swimming, soccer, extreme bike, weightlifting, trampoline and much more!
- Defend your own country and visit the World: United States, Australia, Japan, France…
- Train yourself alone or compete with your friends!
- An enhanced version of “30 Sport Games in 1”, with revamped design, new games and more customisation!
Why were Borderlands games review-bombed on Steam?
The controversy first drew attention in May 2025, when videos compared older game EULAs with Take-Two’s updated terms and claims circulated through online communities. PC Gamer’s May 20 report described a short-lived wave of negative Steam reviews across Borderlands games. It characterized the spyware interpretation as unsupported by the evidence it reviewed.
Discussion returned around Borderlands 4’s September launch. Take-Two owns the franchise through its Gearbox business: when it announced the Gearbox acquisition on March 27, 2024, it said Gearbox would operate as a studio within 2K and identified full ownership of the Borderlands franchise as part of the transaction.
Rank #3
- Fully optimized for next-gen consoles!
- Experience the game in gorgeous 4K resolution at 60 fps in single-player and online co-op (Only Available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X).
- Add more couch co-op mayhem with support for three- and four-player splitscreen for local multiplayer (Only available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S).
- Copies of Borderlands 3 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will include a digital upgrade to the next-gen version of the game (within same console family) at no additional fees.
- For physical discs, this feature is only valid on next-gen console models with disc drives.
Does Take-Two use kernel-level anti-cheat?
PC Gamer’s May 2025 report said the Borderlands games covered in that story did not have kernel-level anti-cheat at that time. That is a time-bounded finding about the titles and period the report discussed, not a guarantee about later updates or a current technical finding about Borderlands 4.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Borderlands 4 release context
Take-Two announced that Borderlands 4 was available worldwide on September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Its announcement listed Standard, Deluxe, and Super Deluxe editions. The release details are available in Take-Two’s announcement.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Officially licensed Borderlands products inspired by the iconic Mister Torgue, featuring tabletop game expansions, collectibles, and themed accessories
- Expand your Borderlands tabletop experience with exciting gameplay content, unique characters, or collectible items designed to complement Mister Torgue's Arena of Badassery
- Great for collectors, tabletop gamers, and Borderlands fans looking to enhance their game nights or display officially licensed memorabilia
- Designed to integrate seamlessly with compatible Borderlands tabletop products while celebrating the explosive personality and style of Mister Torgue
- Features high-quality components and officially licensed designs that capture the humor, action, and unmistakable atmosphere of the Borderlands universe
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
