Minecraft
Summary
Minecraft is a virtual open-world video game that allows players of all ages to mine, build, craft, and enchant. Players can create their own worlds and experiences with their friends and peers, and possibilities are limitless. The base game can be bought in the range of $19.99-$29.99 depending on the platform.
Breach History
Has there ever been a breach or data leak?
Date of last breach
April 2016
The Lifeboat Minecraft community runs servers for customized Minecraft Mobile Edition worlds, where users had to give the Lifeboat server an username, email address, and password. The Lifeboat community's data was breached which led to seven million accounts compromised.
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
Minecraft can be a game that is very addicting and time-consuming. Please be wary about your child's game time. Besides that, Minecraft has been solid in protecting their users' information.
How Does It Share Your Data?
Microsoft can collect a good amount of data from its products including things like contact data, payment data, interactions, usage data, payment history, browse history, device, searches, images, location data, and social data. It does use other data to target you with advertising with Microsoft web properties and other partners like Verizon and Facebook.
Good Things
- Easy to play the game.
- Color scheme is appealing.
- Available to play for all.
Bad Things
- Time-consuming.
- Not many cons.
Final Thoughts
Minecraft is a popular game that is played all over the world. If your child wants to play, make sure to be wary of their screen time, and let them enjoy their world. Minecraft has been secure in protecting their users' personal data, but Microsoft collects a good amount of data. Microsoft can then use your personal data to target you with Microsoft partners and web properties. So be wary and give limited information to Minecraft.