Gearbox Denies Borderlands 4 'Spyware' Claims After Fan Backlash

Gearbox Software has officially denied allegations that their recently launched title, Borderlands 4, contains "spyware." In a public statement on Steam, the developer addressed a long-running fan controversy, clarifying that their data collection practices and new anti-cheat system are not used for surveillance of their players.

The statement was issued to quell a wave of negative sentiment reignited by the game's September 2025 launch. The developer asserted that all data collection serves legitimate purposes, such as protecting the game from cheaters, ensuring compatibility, and personalizing the user experience.

"Take-Two does not use spyware in its games," the post stated, referencing its parent company, Take-Two Interactive.

The controversy erupted after updates to Take-Two's end-user license agreement (EULA), which included broad permissions for data collection. These fears were amplified by the inclusion of a kernel-level anti-cheat system in Borderlands 4, a technology that operates at the deepest level of a computer's operating system and is typically reserved for competitive esports titles.

The backlash from the community began months before the game's release. In May 2025, fans organized a review-bombing campaign on Steam, flooding older titles in the Borderlands series with negative reviews and "spyware" warnings based on the updated legal terms.

As part of its clarification, Gearbox also addressed community fears that the new policies would be used to ban players for using game mods. The studio stated that its policy is to prohibit "abusive mods" that create unfair advantages, but that it generally supports single-player, non-commercial modding that respects intellectual property rights.

Despite Gearbox's reassurances, the launch of Borderlands 4 has been met with a cautious reception from players. The game currently holds a mixed rating on Steam, with player reviews citing not only the privacy concerns but also various technical and performance optimization issues that have impacted the player experience post launch.

With its statement, Gearbox has drawn a clear line in the sand on the spyware allegations. The developer's focus now shifts to the twofold challenge of rebuilding player trust while also addressing the technical upgrades required to let the game's merits shine through.