NSA Can Listen To Xbox Live and World of Warcraft Communications

[OneShotFOGE]

NSA Can Listen to Xbox Live, World of Warcraft Communications - IGN

[h=1]NSA Can Listen to Xbox Live, World of Warcraft Communications[/h] [h=2]The Guardian prepares to release new documents.[/h]
by Luke Karmali
December 9, 2013
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New documents released by whistleblower Edward Snowden reveal US and UK spies have the ability to eavesdrop on conversations in Xbox Live, and have even placed agents in games including World of Warcraft and Second Life.
Fresh information released by The Guardian reveals government agents on both sides of the Atlantic have been paying close attention to online gaming communities since at least 2008.


A September 2008 memo from the NSA's UK sister agency GCHQ reveals that the organisation had "successfully been able to get the discussions between different game players on Xbox Live," while agents were put in both World of Warcraft and Second Life in a bid to monitor users' "buddylists and interaction".
While there's no evidence that such methods were successful in foiling any terrorist plots, an analyst apparently referred to them in a report as offering a "target-rich communications network" where potential threats could "hide in plain sight". It was apparently run out the Menwith Hill base in North Yorkshire.
While Microsoft declined to comment on the report, World of Warcraft developer Blizzard told the paper it was "unaware of any surveillance taking place. If it was, it would have been done without our knowledge or permission." GCHQ, meanwhile, didn't confirm or deny the report, only adding the actions were carried out "in accordance with a strict legal and policy framework which ensures that its activities are authorised, necessary and proportionate, and there is rigorous oversight, including from the secretary of state, the interception and intelligence services commissioners and the Intelligence and Security Committee."


How many individuals' private communications and data were accessed isn't known.

 

[PistolBob]

I heard on shortwave radio that the NSA is monitoring our bedrooms at night, and they count how many farts escape into the atmosphere while we sleep. To combat this I have devised a newly patented set of aluminum foil adult diapers. If you are interested, let me know.

 

[IndyGunworks]

So some agents played some video games live and "talked" about it while on duty.

 

[OneShotFOGE]

Im fairly confident a couple of government agents hatched this scheme so they could play video games at work.

 

[cook5oh]

I heard on shortwave radio that the NSA is monitoring our bedrooms at night, and they count how many farts escape into the atmosphere while we sleep. To combat this I have devised a newly patented set of aluminum foil adult diapers. If you are interested, let me know.

Do you sell a reinforced model for Chili and taco night?​

 

[JettaKnight]

Im fairly confident a couple of government agents hatched this scheme so they could play video games at work.

Jealous?

 

[MisterChester]

Great, now the NSA is going to know about all the 12 year olds that slept with my mother.

 

[steveh_131]

<NSA agent scurries into the oval office>

"Mr. President, sir. During our undercover investigation of the Call of Duty terrorist ring, we have discovered that more than 300 teenagers have had consensual relations with my mother less than 24 hours prior to our interaction, and 172 plan to have non-consensual relations with me."

 

[RockofStrength]

"It has come to our attention that cats haf apparently tayken ova da wurld..."

"This isn't how you spell 'world', Agent Smith"

"Ceiling cat iz watchin' yooz"

"I think we may need to recalibrate Agent Smith"

 

[MisterChester]

<NSA agent scurries into the oval office>

"Mr. President, sir. During our undercover investigation of the Call of Duty terrorist ring, we have discovered that more than 300 teenagers have had consensual relations with my mother less than 24 hours prior to our interaction, and 172 plan to have non-consensual relations with me."

"God help us."

 

[Goodcat]

<NSA agent scurries into the oval office>

"Mr. President, sir. During our undercover investigation of the Call of Duty terrorist ring, we have discovered that more than 300 teenagers have had consensual relations with my mother less than 24 hours prior to our interaction, and 172 plan to have non-consensual relations with me."

This is hilarious for those of us who do or have gamed!

 

[ViperJock]

Great, now the NSA is going to know about all the 12 year olds that slept with my mother.

Its much much worse than that. Now they know how my guild plans to pwn noobs when we raid Orgrimmar! The Horde will be waiting for us. Epic fail!

 

[PistolBob]

Do you sell a reinforced model for Chili and taco night?​

Negative ghost rider....not since they outlawed asbestos underwear.

 

[buckstopshere]

Gamers have nothing to worry about

 

[Papa]

We know they monitor the forums, why not gaming communities lol.

 

[MisterChester]

Its much much worse than that. Now they know how my guild plans to pwn noobs when we raid Orgrimmar! The Horde will be waiting for us. Epic fail!

I just picture a bunch of agents playing WoW who are very low levels and plenty of times fall victim to griefers. Said griefers get put on no-fly lists.

 

[OneShotFOGE]

Well obviously! :P

 

[singlesix]

This is great News! I need to apologize to my son; I told him he was wasting his time playing X-box all the time and not looking for a job. I guess he can apply to the NSA as a game spy. I hope he gets healthcare, but I bet he has to get Obamacare instead.

 

[Trigger Time]

"Rigorous oversight including from the Secretary of State".

OK this just confirms to me that there is NO oversight!

 

[ViperJock]

"Rigorous oversight including from the Secretary of State".

OK this just confirms to me that there is NO oversight!

Staffer: "Um Secretary, we are infiltrating online games."

SS: "wtf. Only games? You call that rigorous?"