Update: PokerStars indicates they will aggressively pursue Sharkscope users

Earlier this week we reported that popular tournament results website Sharkscope had been added to the prohibited programs list at PokerStars. Since that initial report, we have received emails from PokerStars and reports from other players that all seem to point to PokerStars taking a very aggressive stand against players who continue to use the service.

In short: PokerStars is monitoring what web pages you visit, and is willing to use that information to stop their client from running if they don’t approve of the sites you’re using.

This email was exchanged between PTP News Staff and PokerStars support:

Thank you for your email.

This site was added to the list after a change in PokerStars policy. We
recently implemented a policy whereby sites that offer information about
other player’s results was subject to certain restrictions, namely:

1. No player profitability data (i.e. ROI, net profit, etc) may be
displayed on any player unless the player has explicitly opted into
such display.

2. Any player may choose to completely opt out of having any
information about them displayed on the Service.

3. If the service’s operation pre-dates the establishment of these
guidelines, there shall be no “grandfather clause” for existing data.
100% of historical profitability data must be removed from view until
such time as a player explicitly opts in as above.

Each major site was advised of these rules, and given ample time to make
the required changes. Sharkscope did not, and as such, has been added to
the banned list.

Regarding your second question, we are definitely taking steps to detect
players from using any prohibited External Player Assistance (EPA)
programs. The Terms of Service for our site are posted at:

http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/room/tos/

The relevant section can be found at:

5.6. You agree that PokerStars may take steps to detect and prevent the use
of prohibited EPA Programs. These steps may include, but are not limited
to, examination of software programs running concurrently with the
PokerStars Software on the User’s computer.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Regards,

Jacob
PokerStars Support Manager

The following email exchange between a player and support was posted on 2+2:

> Do you in any way track what sites I visit? I’m asking
> because I want to know if I can use SharkScope when
> playing on other sites.

Yes, use of Sharkscope and any other prohibited program is tracked any
time the PokerStars client is open. We would not be able to tell,
however, whether you’re looking up a PokerStars user or a user on
another site. Thus, the prohibition is such that you may not visit the
SharkScope website while the PokerStars client is also running.

> Am I allowed to check my own PokerStars stats on SharksScope?

Technically, no. Again, we wouldn’t be able to tell if you were
looking up yourself or an opponent. We value your privacy and aren’t looking
that deeply into your activities. We’ll know if you’re visiting
sharkscope.com, but won’t know the details of your activity there, so
all activity there is banned when the client is open.

> What happens if I report a player that berates another
> player with his or hers stats from SharkScope?

As SharkScope was only added to the banned list in recent days, right
now nothing will happen. After there’s been some time for users to become
aware of and adapt to the new classification (as well as giving
SharkScope a little bit of time to reconsider their decision not to comply with
our rules), we’ll begin auto-warning SharkScope users and fully enforcing
its prohibition. At that time, the PokerStars client may refuse to run if
it notices SharkScope in memory.

I hope this has answered your question completely. Please do not
hesitate to let us know any time you need anything.

Best Regards,

Jeff
PokerStars Game Security