Would you be opposed to SE implementing a program to scan for addons/parsers?

[Zebraoracle]

An anti-cheat isn’t “invasive” in the way that you think. On a basic level, the game scans its own files to make sure they match the official ones. This is the same method used when you “verify game file integrity” in Steam or other launchers. It’s also how VAC operates. In fact, the entire system can run server-side. There’s no “scanning” that needs to be performed on your hardware. And AFAIK, a game has a legal and technical right to access its own files.

Also, have people not considered the sheer difference in magnitude between the above system and Mare? Which not only scans your files, but allows arbitrary downloads and code injection onto your client? In addition to uploading information from your client to others? In addition to sharing you and your alts’ statuses? On some dude’s private PC in his basement, no less (no one knows who or what runs Mare). Far, far more intrusive and yet 20,000 people are running Mare at any given time. A large portion of the FFXIV community welcomes intrusiveness. An anti-cheat would relieve them of that.

First, it's invasive because of the previously stated reasons in the thread (the impact it might have on game performance being one of the biggest ones).

Second, do you use MARE (rhetorical question, don't answer it, not trying to bait anyone into incriminating themselves)? It doesn't just download mods from any person running it, you and a specific user have to share your own personal personal codes, something you're opting in of your own accord, not having forced on you.