Desktop executables: firewall warnings [Solved]

Questions
#1

Hi there,

whenever I run one of my Win or Mac apps for the first time, the firewall springs into action:

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I state in my privacy policy that my apps does not collect any data whatsoever from the user. Also, I want my apps to be offline apps and describe them as such in the store descriptions. Now, the popups seem to somehow clash with these statements and make the apps look slightly untrustworthy, I find.
Why do the executables want network access and what are the features Windows talks about? Are there any data involved that can be tied to the user? Is there a way to get rid of these warnings?
Sorry, many questions - but I rather not pay again for an amended privacy policy if this can be avoided.

#2

Are these debug builds? If so the executables will broadcast their address on the network so that the editor can connect to the running target. That way you can hot reload assets while editing them, and still have the game running at the same time.

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#3

thank you @Mathias_Westerdahl for the lightning fast response and for the explanation!
Ah, so that is the reason - you are right, they are debug builds. So, in the release versions, the warnings would vanish and I don’t need to worry, am I right?

#4

Unless you make any http requests, I don’t think it should complain.

However, another thing to consider is if your applications are signed with a certificate.
That will also affect the firewalls when you run them for the first time.

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#5

Thank you!

Firewall, you little critter! I guess, I have to sign with a certificate, don’t I? But there would be no personal user data involved, would there? That’s the most important thing for me to be sure of.

#6

But there would be no personal user data involved, would there?

You mean if we collect data from the user?
Then no, we don’t collect or send anything. We leave that all up to the developers (you).

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#7

Hi again @Mathias_Westerdahl ,

That’s great news, thank you very, very much! Then I can leave the policy as it is and forget about it. Super.

Brigitte

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