I’m new to Linux and building a gaming PC. I love playing Minecraft but want to avoid Windows and Microsoft’s ecosystem because of privacy concerns. Specifically, I want to know if playing Minecraft on Linux still means Microsoft can access my data, especially since the game requires logging into a Microsoft account and uses their launcher. What options do I have if I just want to enjoy Minecraft without worrying about Microsoft collecting my information?
2 Answers
I’ve heard about Prism launcher as an alternative. It manages Minecraft instances on Linux without always relying on the official launcher interface. However, even if you use Prism, if you still log in with a Microsoft account, data collection is still possible because it’s tied to your account, not just the launcher. But if you want to avoid being tracked, you might have to avoid using a Microsoft account entirely, which could limit your access to some features or servers.
From what I know, the main way Microsoft can access your data with Minecraft is through the Microsoft account login since that’s how they tie your game profile and purchases. If you use the official launcher on Linux and sign in, some data will likely be shared with Microsoft as part of normal account usage. There’s not a ton you can do if you want to play the official version and need that login.
So does using something like Prism help avoid that, or is it the login itself that lets Microsoft collect data?
Ah, got it. So Prism doesn’t block data collection just by itself — it’s all about the Microsoft account login.