What Information Does Your Game Store Really Collect?

Game stores gather all sorts of information about you – and more often than not, you wouldn’t even notice. It’s not just when you’re popping into a physical shop either. They’re collecting it through websites, mobile apps and loyalty schemes. Things like your email address, your location, what you’ve bought – even the exact time of day you tend to play.

Curious about exactly what kind of information they’re gathering? Discover what they collect, why they do it, how open they are about it, and what you can do yourself to keep your privacy intact. And, take a closer look at Epic Games – what they know about you, and how to stay in control. Prefer not to give away personal details while gaming? Game cards from Recharge are a handy and safe way to keep things private.

What Do Game Stores Keep Track Of?

Whether you’re buying a new title, using an app, or just logging into your account, game stores are keeping an eye on almost everything. Here’s what they typically gather:

• Your email address, date of birth, and other personal details
• Which games you’ve bought and played
• What time of day (and how often) you play
• Your preferred platform or type of game
• Where you are – especially through mobile apps
• Linked accounts like Xbox, PlayStation or Steam

They use all this to track your habits and shape what they show you – like recommending games you’re more likely to enjoy.

Why Do Game Stores Collect Your Data?

In many cases, it’s about improving your experience. You might get more personalised suggestions, better offers, or have your game progress saved between sessions. But there are other reasons too:

• Marketing and advertising
• Customer service and support
• Surveys, statistics and research
• Sharing information with third-party companies

This is often tied into loyalty schemes. You’ll get discounts or points, but in exchange, you’re giving them permission to keep tabs on what you’re doing. It’s not always a bad thing – just something to be aware of. Always have a proper look at the privacy policy before you agree to anything.

How Transparent Are Game Stores About Their Policies?

Most of the time, not that transparent. If you really want to find out what’s being collected or why, you’ll usually need to dig through a long-winded privacy policy. Only a handful of platforms offer a clear dashboard where you can manage or delete your information.

So, many gamers have no clue what’s going on behind the scenes. That’s why it’s worth getting to grips with your own digital footprint – and taking a bit of control back.

Epic Games: What the Platform Knows About You

Epic Games is a go-to for plenty of gamers, but it collects quite a bit more than just your purchase history. They also track how you play, what devices you use, and plenty else besides. For example:

• Which games you play, and how often
• Your friends list and how you interact
• Your payment methods
• Your IP address and the devices you’ve used
• Sometimes even what other games you’ve installed on your PC

They use this for all sorts – from security and support to recommendations and advertising.

Does Epic Games Track Your Behaviour?

They do, yes. Through your account, browser cookies, and the Epic Games Launcher, they follow your activity. Some of it helps them tailor your experience, but it also means they’ve built up a fairly detailed profile of you. Luckily, you can limit quite a bit of it in your settings.

Can Others See Your Games or Friends?

Not unless you choose to let them. By default, your games, friends list and online status are private. You can change all that in your Epic account settings if you want to.

What Is a ‘Cabined Account’?

This is Epic’s way of looking after younger players. If you’re under a certain age, your account will be limited until a parent or guardian gives permission. Some features will be turned off by default, such as:

• Chatting with others
• Adding friends
• Making purchases
• Playing certain multiplayer games

Once permission is given (sometimes with extra checks), the full account will be unlocked.

Does Epic Ask for Your Age?

Yes – when you sign up. If you’re under 13 (or under 16, depending on where you live), you’ll automatically get a cabined account. Epic doesn’t usually ask for very sensitive information like your PPS number. If they do, make sure the request is legit and coming from a secure channel.

Can Epic See Games You’ve Already Installed?

Yes – the Epic Games Launcher can scan your system and check what’s already on your computer. This usually happens when you first install it or link your account. It helps Epic figure out if your device is up to scratch for certain games.

How Safe Is Your Epic Account?

Epic offers decent security features, including two-factor authentication. Use a strong, unique password, and don’t go clicking on links in dodgy emails or messages. Most security issues crop up because of simple mistakes.

Can You Delete Your Epic Account?

Yes – it’s easy enough to do through your account settings. But keep in mind, once it’s gone, it’s gone. You’ll lose your purchases, progress and data. Epic will wipe everything, except what they’re legally required to keep.

Prefer Not to Share Personal Data? Use a Game card

Want to buy games without handing over your personal details? A game card is a grand option for keeping your privacy intact. It’s also a good idea to use a separate email address for your gaming life.

At Recharge, you can pick up game cards for PlayStation, Steam and more – no account, password or bank card needed. And you’ll get the code instantly by email.

Explore all available game cards at Recharge

Take Control of Your Privacy as a Gamer

You don’t need to be a computer whizz to take better care of your personal data. Start with these simple steps:

• Use strong, unique passwords
• Turn on two-factor authentication where possible
• Avoid linking accounts unless you really need to
• Check your privacy settings now and then
• Set up a separate email just for gaming
• Pay with a game card if you want to stay anonymous

You Decide What You Share

Gaming should be enjoyable – but minding your privacy is just as important. When you know what data game stores are collecting, you can make more informed choices. Read the policies, update your settings, and pick payment options that don’t require sharing everything.

With a game card from Recharge, you’re keeping control of your data – without missing out on the fun.