Is Your Gaming Data Safe? What Platforms Know About You

Ever thought about who could be tracking your online gaming habits? With increasing awareness of how companies collect and use personal data, keeping your information safe is more important than ever.

Discover how gaming platforms collect and use your data, and how to protect your personal information online – all while still enjoying your gaming experience.

Are Online Gaming Communities Safe?

For many, online gaming communities are a safe social space to interact with fellow enthusiasts. But just how secure are they?

Are Online Gaming Friends Real?
While interacting with others in games hone skills like collaboration and communication – and can lead to forging real, lasting relationships – there is also a darker side to be aware of. After all, chatting to people you don’t know does carry a risk, from exposure to toxic behaviours to grooming. So, it’s important to watch out for these red flags:

• Asking for personal information
• Becoming intense very quickly
• Asking you to keep the friendship a secret
• Requesting you help to pay for something

If anything seems off, trust your instincts – it probably is. Don’t be afraid to mute, block or report users you’re suspicious of.

What Is the Safest Gaming Website?

While no company is completely impermeable to data hacks, widely known platforms like Steam and Epic Games are generally considered safer thanks to their trustworthy reputations.

Is It Safe to Play Games on Your Phone for Money?

It can be safe – but there is potential to fall prey to scams, and often misleading information, too. Beware of companies or apps that offer large or speedy rewards, or have high payout thresholds you’ll likely never meet. And, if you’re asked for money upfront to withdraw your winnings? It’s definitely a scam.

To Play Games for Money Safely:

• Use reputable apps with verified reviews
• Only download apps from an official store (like App Store or Google Play)
• Never pay any upfront fees or withdrawal fees
• Don’t give away any banking or credit card information
• Understand earning money through games isn’t fast or easy – it can take a lot of time and effort

Are Free Game Apps Safe?

Considered generally safe, free gaming sites and apps can still mine your personal information in order to send you ads or sell to third parties. Make sure you read reviews, check what permissions the game is asking for (unwarranted access to your camera, gps data or microphone can be a red flag), and don’t give away any unnecessary information – for example your location, contacts or payment data.

Are Online Gaming Sites Legit?

There are plenty of reputable online gaming sites. These platforms have multiple reviews and users, secure connections and clear policies. If you’re unsure about a site, there’s a few easy ways to check how legit it is.

Safe Online Gaming Sites Should Have:

• A secure connection – the URL starts with ‘https://’ and has a padlock icon in the browser address bar.
• The correct documents – the site clearly displays their terms and privacy policy.
• No misspelling in the brand name or domain – always check the URL spelling. The site should be free of typos, too.

Can Your Personal Info Be Hacked Through a Game Account?

In short, yes. It can even happen in large companies, like Amazon-owned Twitch in 2021 which saw payouts and source code leaked, and the popular Words with Friends game from Zynga, which in 2019 had the passwords, email addresses and usernames of over 200 million users exposed.

How to Stay Safe While Gaming Online

As well as ensuring the sites and apps you’re using are trustworthy, there are several ways you can ensure your information is as secure as possible. Tips from the National Cyber Security Centre include:

Use Strong Security Measures
Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Struggle to remember multiple passwords? Use a password manager like Bitwarden or LastPass. You can also enable two-factor authentication where possible (especially on platforms like Steam, Epic Games or Xbox).

Keep Personal Information Limited
Where possible, use private or guest profiles, and give minimal information when setting up any accounts. When chatting to other users, don’t share anything that could identify you, like your location, age or full name.

Stay Vigilant
To keep communities safe, it's important to report abuse or any suspicious activity. Block any users that engage in this, and don’t click on links that anyone sends you.

Protect Your Payment Information
Never enter your payment info on third-party or unverified websites. When making in-game purchases or buying a new game, use prepaid game vouchers from trusted providers like MobileTopUp for extra security.

Use Verified Platforms
When downloading a game, only do so from official websites or verified third party retailers. If you’re unsure about a site, always check that the web address starts with ‘https://’. This is a sign of a secure connection, meaning no one is able to intercept any data you send.

What Are the Disadvantages of Gaming Sites?

Frequent use of gaming sites can expose you to phishing scams, and make your information susceptible to data tracking which can be used for targeted advertising. In addition, games are purposefully designed to be addictive and encourage you to make in-game purchases to keep advancing.

Is Roblox Safe for Kids?

Roblox is an open social platform, which can expose children to strangers, risky user content and scams. But , thankfully – when equipped with the right controls and supervision – Roblox can be safe for children to use.

What To Do When Setting Kids Up On Roblox:

• Enter the correct birthdate – those aged under 13 automatically get stricter controls
• Set up paternal controls to limit or disable chat functions and set spending limits
• Turn off in-game chat if required

What Is the Largest Online Gaming Community?

Discord
The largest communication hub (with over 200million active users), almost every large gaming community – think Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox – has at least one dedicated Discord server.
Steam
Used for PC gaming, Steam boasts over 132 million users thanks to the fact it's home to over 50,000 games.
Roblox
Over 70 million young people visit this social gaming platform every day to play games and share user-generated content.
Fortnite
This incredibly popular game has over 500 million registered accounts, making it the largest battle royal community out there.

Should You Use Gift Cards to Pay for Games?

Prepaid game vouchers from trusted sites like MobileTopUp can help to protect your payment information and limit any exposure to data breaches, ensuring you never enter your card information on the gaming site itself. They also make you less vulnerable to overspending on in-game upgrades in the heat of the moment, and mean you won’t fall prey to any automatically recurring payments – making them a secure option for game enthusiasts everywhere.

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