Why does TrackIR connect to IP Address 66.182.52.188

[SinOjos]

I have noticed that when TrackIR 5 is running, that it is connected to IP Address 66.182.52.118, for the full duration that the software is running.

Could you please explain to me for what purposes this connection is for?

[NaturalPoint - Mike]

While this connection is not required, it is established to listen for game updates and news updates.

[SinOjos]

Is that solely in TrackIR software as in game profile updates?

Does it scan hardrives in an attempt to ascertain which games are being played or any other data mined?

One could understand a temporary connection upon startup, to check for updates, but why is the connection maintained the full time TrackIR is running?

Since the connection continues during use, you do have records of use, for what purpose is this data used for?

[NaturalPoint - Mike]

Absolutely no data is mined. If you want to disable this, I believe you can by editing settings.xml and changing the "PeriodicNewsCheck" value from 1 to 0. Additionally, you can block TrackIR from outbound internet access through the windows firewall or another firewall. Keep in mind that if you decide to go the firewall route, FSX may stop working, as they talk via simconnect over a local loopback connection.

[SinOjos]

Thank you for that information. Perhaps NaturalPoint should consider including that information within the manual.

Many people are very concerned about their privacy being infringed upon. Current events have shown that the rampant use of invasive techniques are being used by many software developers.