Xbox App spying on Steam activity on Windows 11

James Snow1 · Dec 31, 2023

Why is the Xbox app while not running gathering information about apps like steam on the PC?

It's displaying the games one has played on steam, amount of hours etc etc. Even when you set yourself on offline on Steam the Xbox app just completely ignores this and feel the need to keep spying on whatever you do on another platform. This is absurd and should not be allowed and most definitely not be publicly displayed for anyone to see. I'm already done with all the intrusive Bing adds that pop up everywhere in Win 11 and now this. Please tell me this privacy issue can be addressed otherwise I'm done with Microsoft Windows and will switch back to Linux where I do have control over my OS.

:)

Jhonkito

Hi, James my name is Jhon, and will be a pleasure help you

The app is designed to keep track of gaming on your Windows 10 PC,to recommend to you some similar titles than xbox can offers to you.

To manage your Xbox profile’s online presence:

Open the Xbox app on your Windows device, and then sign in.

Select your gamertag in the top-left corner of the app, and then select either Appear online or Appear offline.

To manage who can see your PC game activity:

Open the Xbox app on your Windows device, and then sign in.

Select your gamertag in the top-left corner of the app, and then select Settings > Account.

Under Others can see your PC game activity, choose the desired setting:

Block: No one will see which non-Xbox games you’re playing, and Microsoft will not collect data about your use of them.

Allow: Microsoft will collect your PC game activity to determine when you’re online, what games you’re playing, and to customize your Xbox experience.

Note: Some of the information, which were gained from this answer, were received in a thread on the Microsoft forum by XBF George L Microsoft Agent | Moderator , and it seemed a good idea, to share this information with you. Source of information (credits) :

https://answers.microsoft.com/thread/05e66a02-5c07-42c2-b389-bda4d704b317

Note: Some of the information, which were gained from this answer, were received in a thread on the Microsoft support, and it seemed a good idea, to share this information with you. Source of information (credits) :

https://support.xbox.com/help/family-online-safety/online-safety/online-presence

I hope the information I gave you has been useful, have a happy day.

XBF Chris J

Hello Dip,

Thank you for posting here on the Xbox forums. This thread is a bit old, so it will be locked due to its age. If you require support, or would like to start a discussion, please create a new thread. We will be happy to help you there!

Thanks again

Dip an Whiskey

The link you provided is no longer available. I too have an issue with microsoft/xbox having unauthorized access to the rest of my PC/ Steam. I agree with the original complaint. I find it highly intrusive for the Xbox app to remain on while the xbox
app is not opened. I feel my privacy is violated to and extent for i do not wish to have people monitor my day to day life as i work and study on my computer since the xbox app broadcasts my appearance despite the app not being open. This seems to be a violation
of privacy within the United states.

XBF George L

Hello!

Thanks for reaching out to us here on the forums with this situation. The app is designed to keep track of gaming on your Windows 10 PC. If this suggestion is something you'd like to see implemented I would recommend you voice it at
Xbox Ideas. Find an available Idea Drive that says "Accepting Ideas" and post your idea there for review. Hope this helps.

Joe Chavez1

I'm running windows 11 pro. it's likely something with the battlenet app, as the controller works with no issue with other apps, like steam.

Xbox App spying on Steam activity on Windows 11