FFXIV Director Threatens Legal Action Amidst Privacy Concerns

In early 2025, a Final Fantasy XIV mod ignited concerns about player stalking due to reports of its ability to harvest sensitive player data. This mod, "Playerscope," tracked player information, including character details, retainer information, linked accounts, and more, from players in proximity to the mod user. This data was funneled into a central database controlled by the mod's creator, revealing information normally inaccessible through in-game tools.

Playerscope exploited the "Content ID" and "Account ID" system introduced in the Dawntrail expansion, enabling cross-character tracking. This system, intended for player blacklisting, was manipulated to gather extensive personal data. The only way to prevent data scraping was to opt out via the mod's private Discord server, raising significant privacy concerns. The community widely condemned the mod, citing its clear intent for stalking.

Following its discovery on Github, Playerscope's popularity surged. Subsequently removed from Github for violating terms of service, it allegedly resurfaced on alternative platforms like Gittea and Gitflic, though IGN confirmed its removal from those sites as well. The possibility of its continued circulation in private communities remains.

He emphasized the prohibition of third-party tools under the Final Fantasy XIV User Agreement, urging players to avoid their use and not assist in their distribution. While tools like Advanced Combat Tracker are commonly used by the raiding community alongside sites like FFlogs, Yoshida's legal threat represents a significant escalation.

Community Reaction

The community's response to Yoshida's statement was largely critical. Players questioned why Square Enix wasn't addressing the underlying vulnerabilities that allowed the mod to function, suggesting that fixing the game's data exposure would be a more effective solution than legal action. The Playerscope author has yet to comment publicly.