It was a user who gave the alert. In a tweet, a video game enthusiast shared a screenshot of an email written by an industry giant, Ubisoft, to its customers. The company explains there that it will close the account of a user, inactive for a certain time, from the moment when this one does not connect within the next thirty days. However, this account is linked to a library of games purchased over the years: the customer therefore risks losing access to this paid entertainment software at the same time.
This warning elicited many reactions from video game enthusiasts. They are also annoyed by the prospect of losing access to their games, which they had nevertheless purchased. “Wait WHAT?! Ubisoft therefore closes your account, with your digital games, if you do not log in within 30 days after receiving the famous email below?!”, A videographer was indignant, denouncing “a scandal”.
The French giant quickly responded to the critics: “You can avoid account closure by logging into your account within 30 days (from receipt of the pictured email) and selecting the ‘Cancel Account Closure’ link contained in the email. We certainly don’t want you to lose access to your games or account.”
In fact, the studio recalls, in its terms of use, that the games are not purchased, but that customers simply benefit from a right of use: the software “is provided under license and is not sold to you […]. This means that we grant you a personal, limited, revocable license. In Figaro, Ubisoft cites article 5.1 of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). “Our policies comply with legal requirements and industry standards. This measure also acts as a protection for our players against fraud.
The publisher and developer highlights the four “very strict” criteria assessed before an account is terminated: “account gaming activity since inception,” “account libraries,” “account inactivity time,” and “existence of an active subscription tied to that account.” “Accounts that have purchased PC games are not eligible for termination”, also specifies the firm, which indicates that it has never “terminated an inactive account for less than 4 years”, until now. The terms and conditions of use nevertheless say that a termination can be effective “after notice” as soon as an account is “inactive for more than six months”.
This regulation has been applied “for several years now” specifies Ubisoft. “Before the deletion is final, three emails are sent to the player over a period of 30 days offering to restore his account”. Additionally, “if the user tries to log in during the 30-day window, they will automatically receive a warning and a link to reactivate their account.” Concerned players are warned.