A widely used Cyberpunk 2077 mod from NexusMods sparked discussion on telemetry concerns.
A widely used Cyberpunk 2077 mod from NexusMods sparked discussion on telemetry concerns.
Update: Following considerable discussion about nothing, the mod has returned to Nexus Mods without telemetry. The widely used Cyberpunk 2077 mod "Cyber Engine Tweaks" was removed by the creator after adding basic tracking for total users. This base set forms the foundation for many other mods, and since most are hosted on Nexus Mods, users now need to download it from GitHub manually instead of using the built-in installer. A moderator on Nexus sent an email to the author (discord messages shared there) stating that the only valid exception was when internet access was essential for the mod to work, and telemetry wasn't vital enough. The email also mentioned that some content was moved to a separate wiki instead of the mod's description. No further reply was publicly shared. The author on both Discord and GitHub expressed disagreement with Nexus's decision, calling the rules illogical and emphasizing that even a single ping could trigger significant data collection. The telemetry details were shared in a recent code update, using a random string each launch and sending it via "curl" to a public endpoint. The author's code is also available on GitHub, tracking active users and peak concurrent players. After the initial message, the author removed the mod from Nexus and several users quickly posted clarifications on GitHub. A moderator responded with a brief note about past issues, referencing a previous controversy involving Skyrim. Eventually, the author joined the conversation, accusing the moderator of acting out of stubbornness and linking it to a past incident. Opinions remain divided—some see the telemetry as minimal but valuable, while others view it as excessive. The author feels personally targeted and insists they won't let Nexus dictate what they create.
Additional information can be found in a CDPR forum discussion: https://forums.cdprojektred.com/index.ph....11080493/
My perspective is: The rule is in place to stop misuse; the mod doesn’t believe it applies to him since he isn’t abusing it. He gets frustrated when reminded he’s breaking rules, and even more so when others question his insistence. Why are you upset? I think the real issue is harmless telemetry, not the main concern.
My view is that any data gathered without consent is potentially harmful. A basic check-in can reveal more than most realize—like general location, how long someone plays, or even their daily schedule. When paired with other information, this can become problematic. There’s no clear way to verify how it’s being used, so claiming it isn’t misuse is overly hopeful. And regardless of what others are doing, it doesn’t matter if it’s widespread.
Nexus tracks page views and unique download metrics for all mod creators by default. A fellow Nexus moderator shared this in Discord, noting they started the conversation with the goal of discussing it and possibly offering extra data from their download collection instead of using integrated telemetry. I've included a stats page from one of my mods as an example.
I appreciate how nexus moderators seem more considerate lately, especially when it comes to their platform's earnings. For the modder, I’m a bit unsure—it feels like they’re acting more like drama queens. It seems unclear whether people are comfortable with telemetry data being collected without an opt-out choice. Maybe they shouldn’t push it further; after all, if download numbers and bank activity show interest, it might be worth respecting the choice.