I applied to a well known Corp/Alliance on my main, and sent their recruiter my API key. I unchecked everything that gave info on how much isk I have and my transactions. They turned down my app because of it.

Yes I understand this is just a game, but my irritation due to this level of invasiveness comes from RL; my Employer didn't even ask me how much money I have and request an account of every transaction I've had that year. I don't like people knowing that sort of info about me. It's none of your business what I buy and how much money I have.

They claimed it was to ensure I wasn't being funded by a main for "Awoxing" or w/e....w/e that means.

WTF dude??? W/e happened to just sending an app to a guild/alliance/whatever, maybe doing a short interview then joining up with some cool folks and shooting stuff???

What the hell with this invasiveness/red tape; join such and such forum and wait 3 months, sit around for hours waiting for an interview, etc??

I understand there's a need to prevent spying but really? I mean if I were a spy, I would be MORE than willing to give you whatever you ask for; whatever it takes to get in. Especially since I'm probably an exp player so I already pretty much know what you'll consider a red flag.

Damn man, it just seems like EVERYTHING in this game is so friggin complicated...I just want to have some fun man, s**t....

Because of the omnipresence of spies and sabotage.

Cuz bad players still think the API will do something to prevent spys.

Really the only thing API is usefull for is to actually spy on the people giving you their API. Kind of sad that there's an abundance of corps that wont recruit unless you give them that info.

Ok....I'll be clearer about my confusion:

If I'm a spy, I'm after something, right?

I'm probably an experienced player, right?

Me being a spy AND experienced, I already know what API keys show, and what you would consider a red flag, right?

So then wouldn't you expect me to apply with a pristine toon?

How does my transaction history help you determine whether or not I'm a spy? Is this foolproof?

Ok....I'll be clearer about my confusion:

If I'm a spy, I'm after something, right?

I'm probably an experienced player, right?

Me being a spy AND experienced, I already know what API keys show, and what you would consider a red flag, right?

So then wouldn't you expect me to apply with a pristine toon?

How does my transaction history help you determine whether or not I'm a spy? Is this foolproof?

Right, I mean what's keeping them from, say, targeting me for ransoms now that they know how much money I have? That's one of the reasons I didn't show it.

When I first got here, everyone told me to be slow to trust folks, so that's what I'm doing. For all I know their recruitment officer has a pirate alt just collecting APIs from applicant to see who to gank....

Ok....I'll be clearer about my confusion:

If I'm a spy, I'm after something, right?

I'm probably an experienced player, right?

Me being a spy AND experienced, I already know what API keys show, and what you would consider a red flag, right?

So then wouldn't you expect me to apply with a pristine toon?

How does my transaction history help you determine whether or not I'm a spy? Is this foolproof?

See above, regarding bad players thinking API can identify spies.

You can easily hide financial data in different ways that won't show on the API where the money is coming from.

Right, I mean what's keeping them from, say, targeting me for ransoms now that they know how much money I have? That's one of the reasons I didn't show it.

When I first got here, everyone told me to be slow to trust folks, so that's what I'm doing. For all I know their recruitment officer has a pirate alt just collecting APIs from applicant to see who to gank....

No. It's not a matter of stupidity on the part of the spy. A pristine toon is just as suspicious, (perhaps more so to some), as any other. It does help to see what kind of transactions a person makes, but ultimately, unless they are doing something extravagant or weird, it is relatively pointless.

What situation do you think will result in more spies in your corp:

Any and all can apply with 1 minutes effort, or every spy has to go through the trouble of buying a second account and furnishing it with a believable history?

What situation do you think will result in more spies in your corp:

Any and all can apply with 1 minutes effort, or every spy has to go through the trouble of buying a second account and furnishing it with a believable history?

Damn man, it just seems like EVERYTHING in this game is so friggin complicated...

Maybe if we knew who you were we could comment objectively. As it is I am just responding to yet another alt poster with too many whine threads.

Maybe if we knew who you were we could comment objectively. As it is I am just responding to yet another alt poster with too many whine threads.

Come on man, you know spies play to WIN dude.

You really think paying 30 bucks for a 90-day toon just to build up a credible history ISN'T worth billions of isk or info that will win a huge war???

Even IF the spy has to pay it (which we both know he probably wont;, the Alliance will probably pony that up,it's 30 bucks) it's still worth it. 20 bucks for plex, or 30 bucks for a toon that could net you billions???

Depends on the corp, but for the corps running a tight ship it's actually a big deal. Spies and thieves can wreak havoc. Why take the chance? I get where they are coming from. If you have a seedy past the options do get a bit limited (I'm in the same boat). You can join a big corp or a "training/probation" corp and prove yourself, you can join a smaller up-and-coming corp and prove yourself there, then make a lat move into another corp when you are in an alliance you like, or you can touch base w/ a buddy you've flown with in the past, work for his corp until you earn a referral, and reapply. That would be how I would do it anyway... just my 2 isk.

Edit: try to put yourself into a CEO's shoes. They definitely want good new players to join. However, there are players out there that make a living stealing and spying. They play a dedicated game of trying to earn trust just to screw corps over... if you look like they do on paper, what would you expect a CEO to do? I'll tell you one almost sure-fire way to join a decent PvP corp. Fly out to their space, and just start killing them. if you kill enough of them, I'd bet they'll take you. If you just keep loosing ships, maybe that's not the corp for you anyway. Again, just my 2 isk

I don't like people knowing that sort of info about me. It's none of your business what I buy and how much money I have.

They claimed it was to ensure I wasn't being funded by a main for "Awoxing" or w/e....w/e that means.

The kinds of spies who win wars are director-level spies.

That's gonna involve a new account, several months building a believable history, and then several years getting the entire alliance's trust as you make your way into a position where you are privy to actually sensitive information and are able to actually directly influence the alliance as a whole. Some scrub spy joining on a 4 month toon and relaying fleet positions isn't going to come ******* close to winning a war.

Well, if you have nothing to hide then you have no problem checking all boxes. That simple

My main is a few weeks old.

So you basically just made my point.

Why then does seeing my wallet matter, on a 2 week old toon if it takes years (according to you) to do any significant damage to an Alliance?

Sounds like a terrible corp to join.

Try somewhere else, there's literally thouands of corps around. There's bound to be some of them that are actually the relaxed bunch of guys that you are looking for instead of paranoid space dictators.

In the end, this might have turned out well for you - do you really want to join a bunch of guys that operate like that?

Because all spies are annoying, as are awoxers, and keeping their numbers low saves a headache. Seriously, if you aren't doing anything shady, then what the hell do you care if someone can see your wallet? You know what the first thing a recruitment officer is goign to do when looking at your wallet? Make sure you aren't an obvious RMTer that will get the entire alliance in trouble.

Also, equating a permanent SSN to an easily-disabled API is very disingenuous.

Hiding = Malicious intent.