Lock if old

http://m.ca.ign.com/articles/2013/12/09/nsa-can-listen-to-xbox-live-world-of-warcraft-communications

"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."

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."

Edit: More from the NY times http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/world/spies-dragnet-reaches-a-playing-field-of-elves-and-trolls.html?_r=0

edit2:  and dont just make this about MS and XB live.  It effects everyone

"Dude I fucking destroyed that asshole"
"Yeah you got him so fucking good"
"360 no scope BITCH"
"Yo I got some fucking good kush, you wanna light up?"
"Definitely bro."

Standard terrorist convo.

I just assumed this, them mfers are everywhere!!!!

very true lol

More government tentacles. Not to mention the wasted money. Fucking morons.

To be fair, the NYtimes article talks about not being scared of the gamers themselves, but of terrorist networks using the chat functions to "hide in plain site" ..  just look at our own reactions. "why are they spying on gamers"    if terrorists think it would be crazy to spy on us, they could think its a great way to get away with things

Agent in wow and second, but who controls the watchers? They probably just waste government money with doing nothing. Damn they should hire me too

Well that's no surprise. Online games are pretty well known as terrorist organizing hotspots.

Welcome to 'murica, land of the free.

And now UK.

But as the roman philosopher asked who watches the watchers?

Seriously their information is pure money. They can basically listen to all businesspeople and help people make billions on the stock market