EVE New Citizens Q&A

Then you have no reason to ask for one, right?

Mr Epeen

No idea, it's not like the NSA isn't already watching.

Common sense? Player emancipation?

This thread has been moved to EVE New Citizens Q&A.

How many people when looking for a job would give over their PW's to social media, banks, etc so someone else can take a look?
That's how many people feel about API's..

Ignoring most of the answers above as they are answering "why are experienced players not willing to give their api" (discounting those who have personal reasons for resisting the intrusion an api check causes, whether justified or not, thats each persons own decision to make, but they are personal, and not likely to be the common reason)

In most cases, ignorance. At first glance for a new player, they will assume the api is the equivilent of handing you their login details, and will react as if that is what you asked. You have to remember that few (in fact, probably no) other games has a function like this, so they'll assume the worst.This can mostly be averted by leading them in to the request slowly, and making sure they get to read CCP's very clear "what is an api" page (EDIT - "was" very clear, I can't find it to link it now, so welp). Sure, some will still be averse to the request even then, but that can't be helped (and odds are, they are the guys with the least secure facebook pages you'll find). But by explaining what an api is, you'll likely avert the initial gut reaction to flee screaming because they think you are trying to hack them.

Because it's all we have.

But its not the password you are giving, because that implies they would be able to send messages as you and empty your accounts, which the api does not allow. It is merely the ability to look, and I hate to state the obvious, but most HR departments will look at your social media (people have been fired over ill-adviced Tweets and unfortunate pictures on Facebook), and I wonder how you intend to get paid if you don't give your employer your bank details (and that aside, ever had a credit check? Yep, thats an API look at your wallet and assets tab if ever there was one)

Really all a recruiter needs to know is what EVEboard shows, which isn't a full API.

The only reason I know of for a full API after joining, is so your accounts, contacts, and EVE-mail can be monitored.

Example: Once had a friend in NC. gift a few billion ISK to a friend in Goonswarm. Receiver was interrogated, and ended-up returning the ISK so that he wouldn't get kicked.

The simple fact of the matter is that just asking for an API key keep the majority of problem causers from even applying to your corp. Actually doing a decent API check will keep out the overwhelming majority of people that intend to cause drama. Sure nothing is 100% but API checks are extremely effective.

Yes you will miss out on some potential good recruits but back when we used to do open recruitments we would get war deced every single time that we did some recruiting, even if we only gain 2 or 3 new members. Ever since we started doing API checks that just does not happen anymore.

Worth noting is that some corps are in alliances and some alliances are in coalitions that require API checks of new recruits to minimize awoxer caused political headaches.

I agree that is a pretty poor game mechanic that pretty much requires this level of security and background checks in a game but CCP did advertise the living hell out of awoxer / corp theft / general asshattery as play style for a lot of years. It is a gameplay style that has been carefully cultivated.

It is true that corps don't have to do API checks and that players don't need to give them out. However I don't think anyone can deny that they are extremely effective and pretty much needed in this game. I am willing to bet that the only people that understand the game and would say otherwise are the loner pirate types that the API checks are looking to avoid.