NSA spying on World of Warcraft + other online games

[Borgholio]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireSt ... s-21146712

American and British intelligence operations have been spying on gamers across the world, media outlets reported, saying that the world's most powerful espionage agencies sent undercover agents into virtual universes to monitor activity in online fantasy games such as "World of Warcraft."

Stories carried Monday by The New York Times, the Guardian, and ProPublica said U.S. and U.K. spies have spent years trawling online games for terrorists or informants. The stories, based on documents leaked by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, offer an unusual take on America's world-spanning surveillance campaign, suggesting that even the fantasy worlds popular with children, teens, and escapists of all ages aren't beyond the attention of the NSA and its British counterpart, GCHQ.

Virtual universes like "World of Warcraft" can be massively popular, drawing in millions of players who log months' worth of real-world time competing with other players for online glory, virtual treasure, and magical loot. At its height, "World of Warcraft" boasted some 12 million paying subscribers, more than the population of Greece. Other virtual worlds, like Linden Labs' "Second Life" or the various games hosted by Microsoft's Xbox — home to the popular science fiction-themed shoot-em-up "Halo" — host millions more.

Spy agencies have long worried that such games serve as a good cover for terrorists or other evildoers who could use in-game messaging systems to swap information. In one of the documents cited Monday by media outlets, the NSA warned that the games could give intelligence targets a place to "hide in plain sight."

Linden Labs and Microsoft Inc. did not immediately return messages seeking comment. In a statement, Blizzard Entertainment said that it is "unaware of any surveillance taking place. If it was, it would have been done without our knowledge or permission."

Microsoft issued a similar statement, saying it is "not aware of any surveillance activity. If it has occurred as reported, it certainly wasn't done with our consent."

The 82-page-document, published on The New York Times' website, also noted that opponents could use video games to recruit other users or carry out virtual weapons training — pointing to the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers as examples of terrorists who had used flight simulation software to hone their skills.

Important details — such as how the agencies secured access to gamers' data, how many players' information was compromised, or whether Americans were swept up in the spying — were not clear, the Times and ProPublica said, but the reports point to a determined effort to infiltrate a world many people associate with adolescents and shut-ins.

At the request of GCHQ, the NSA began extracting "World of Warcraft" data from its global intelligence haul, trying to tie specific accounts and characters to Islamic extremism and arms dealing efforts, the Guardian reported. Intelligence on the fantasy world could eventually translate to real-world espionage success, one of the documents suggested, noting that "World of Warcraft" subscribers included "telecom engineers, embassy drivers, scientists, the military and other intelligence agencies."

"World of Warcraft" wasn't the only target. Another memo noted that GCHQ had "successfully been able to get the discussions between different game players on Xbox Live." Meanwhile, so many U.S. spies were roaming around "Second Life" that a special "deconfliction" unit was set up to prevent them from stepping on each other's toes.

Blizzard Entertainment is part of Santa Monica, Calif.-based Activision Blizzard Inc.

[bilateralrope]

also noted that opponents could use video games to recruit other users or carry out virtual weapons training

Sounds like someone wanted to play WoW at work. So they produced some bullshit knowing that their superiors would believe it.

[Borgholio]

I remember something several years back about "people" like Jack Thompson claiming that children were using Counterstrike for actual combat training.

[Jawawithagun]

NSA listens in on Barrens Chat to uncover terrorist communications...


Uh... Yeah...

[Dr. Trainwreck]

I read somewhere that some gangbangers used chatspeak to communicate in a MMO, perhaps WoW itself. I guess there's so much incomprehensible bullshit in gaming chat that two criminals discussing drug deals or whatever isn't very out of place, so there's merit.

On the other hand, it's 'intelligence operations'. We have discussed before on the forum that spy agencies are so poorly supervised and usually inept that they might simply be playing WoW on the job and passing it as business expenses. Just think of all the uberswords you could buy with real money in that position.

[Zeropoint]

opponents could use video games to recruit other users or carry out virtual weapons training

Virtual weapons training . . . in Wow. So, what, the bad guys are learning how to dual-wield magic swords?

I guess a suicide bomber with a good grasp of Priest skills could be hard to stop . . . heck, they might even survive the bombing.

[Broomstick]

NSA listens in on Barrens Chat to uncover terrorist communications...

"Who is this Chuck Norris? He sounds like an elite operative. What are his ties to bin Laden?

We also need to assess a possible kidnapping/hostage situation with a Mrs. Mankrik."

[Broomstick]

I read somewhere that some gangbangers used chatspeak to communicate in a MMO, perhaps WoW itself. I guess there's so much incomprehensible bullshit in gaming chat that two criminals discussing drug deals or whatever isn't very out of place, so there's merit.

Given some of the things I've heard in open/public chat, it wouldn't surprise me.

It's not that it's impossible for terrorists or whoever to meet in Ironforge or Thunderbluff, it's just unlikely. How much time and money was spent on this?

[Grumman]

The 82-page-document, published on The New York Times' website, also noted that opponents could use video games to recruit other users

Don't be ridiculous! How would interacting with online gamers make someone want to kill- okay, maybe they have a point there.

or carry out virtual weapons training — pointing to the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers as examples of terrorists who had used flight simulation software to hone their skills.

If the NSA wasn't equal parts amoral and moronic, this would be grounds for immediate dismissal. Either your subordinate is stupid enough to buy into the delusions about murder simulators, in which case they are clearly unqualified for any job involving video games, or they think you are.

Hell, wouldn't it make more sense to infiltrate America's Army if this was their plan?

Meanwhile, so many U.S. spies were roaming around "Second Life" that a special "deconfliction" unit was set up to prevent them from stepping on each other's toes.

I can see that backfiring, when a list of which NSA agents are "investigating" which fetishes gets out.

[Jaepheth]

There's a documentary on Netflix about MS-13 in which one of the informants said that a hit was ordered over team-speak during some sort of game.

[/anecdote]

[bilateralrope]

I wonder if Eve Online is included in their list. On the one hand, the kind of paranoia needed to hide terrorist messages there wouldn't be unusual.
On the other hand, Glenn Beck says that Goonswarm is a CIA front, so the NSA doesn't need to do anything.

Hell, wouldn't it make more sense to infiltrate America's Army if this was their plan?

But that has America in the name. It can't have terrorists in it.

[Borgholio]

I wonder if Eve Online is included in their list. On the one hand, the kind of paranoia needed to hide terrorist messages there wouldn't be unusual.
On the other hand, Glenn Beck says that Goonswarm is a CIA front, so the NSA doesn't need to do .

The players in EVE are so incredibly paranoid, I wonder if it would be more of a challenge to infiltrate than in WoW...

[JLTucker]

Goddammit, Leroy!

[bilateralrope]

I wonder if Eve Online is included in their list. On the one hand, the kind of paranoia needed to hide terrorist messages there wouldn't be unusual.
On the other hand, Glenn Beck says that Goonswarm is a CIA front, so the NSA doesn't need to do .

The players in EVE are so incredibly paranoid, I wonder if it would be more of a challenge to infiltrate than in WoW...

Depends. Are they trying to pretend that they aren't NSA agents ?
Or are they going to admit that and offer NSA resources to help the corp they are infiltrating ?

[Borgholio]

Or are they going to admit that and offer NSA resources to help the corp they are infiltrating ?

I wouldn't put it past them. I've been playing EVE for 7 years and it's rather amazing to a non-EVE player the level of betrayal and paranoia that goes on in the game. Hacking someone else's TS server, DDoS attacks on corp / alliance forums, even cell-phone hacking goes on. Making a deal with the NSA in exchange for being an informant? I can see it happening actually.

But I wonder if an NSA agent would comment on just how tight security is in EVE compared to a "normal" MMO.

[Thanas]

Leroy Jenkins confirmed as suicide bomber.

[Mr. Coffee]

I wonder if Eve Online is included in their list. On the one hand, the kind of paranoia needed to hide terrorist messages there wouldn't be unusual. On the other hand, Glenn Beck says that Goonswarm is a CIA front, so the NSA doesn't need to do .

After some of the shit Mittens has pulled it wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Borgholio]

Heh...Mittani was a fucking idiot. Sure was fun to fly against BoB with him though.

[Dr. Trainwreck]

or carry out virtual weapons training — pointing to the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers as examples of terrorists who had used flight simulation software to hone their skills.

If the NSA wasn't equal parts amoral and moronic, this would be grounds for immediate dismissal. Either your subordinate is stupid enough to buy into the delusions about murder simulators, in which case they are clearly unqualified for any job involving video games, or they think you are.

Hell, wouldn't it make more sense to infiltrate America's Army if this was their plan?

But we know that you can't regulate spies and set standards on how they do their jobs, they ensure the nation's survival! Surely, Grumman, you wouldn't want America to be invaded by a North Korea-Russia-Iran alliance because the bureaucrats impeded the TUFF MEN who do BLACK OPS and SHOOT THE BADGUYS, would you?

[bilateralrope]

I wonder how many people at the NSA are being forced to play MMOs because their bosses believe that playing them will produce useful data ?

Leroy Jenkins confirmed as suicide bomber.

If you want to talk about suicide attacks, once again you need to look to Eve Online. JihadSwarm used to be a thing there.

[TheFeniX]

"Sorry sir, no new information today, but I only need 3 more Runestones to get my legendary cloak."
"Excellent Johnson, that will give you access to this Ordos character we've been hearing a lot about in chat. I assume he's a key player."

It seems even today, high-end raiding guilds have more stringent application processes than the CIA.

Meanwhile, so many U.S. spies were roaming around "Second Life" that a special "deconfliction" unit was set up to prevent them from stepping on each other's toes.

This reminds me of a comic I read somewhere in which two shapeshifters murder the king, who turns out to also be a shapeshifter. I can just imagine two agents wasting days baiting each other for information because everyone else is too busy chasing that next shiny. "Who is this 'Thok' and why is his tail so desirable?"

The was a report on this a few years back. Basically, what they'll do is troll chat channels to get a response. Something stupid like "Obama sucks, right?" Well, obviously another agent will take the bait because he assumes it's legit, and they'll just back and forth trolling the shit out of each other, probably super excited they're about to bust some future or present terrorist. The sad part is they get paid. Hell, I'd do it for free.

[Thanas]

There are also a lot of private citizens doing this ("infiltrating" and then providing "hints") for the Government, probably envisioning themselves as the next James Bond.

[Grumman]

Meanwhile, so many U.S. spies were roaming around "Second Life" that a special "deconfliction" unit was set up to prevent them from stepping on each other's toes.

This reminds me of a comic I read somewhere in which two shapeshifters murder the king, who turns out to also be a shapeshifter.

This one? (NSFW website, don't look at any of the other comics)

[TheFeniX]

There are also a lot of private citizens doing this ("infiltrating" and then providing "hints") for the Government, probably envisioning themselves as the next James Bond.

That has to be a whole other bag of cats. "Trained" operatives are busy trolling each other and they're supposed to know better. Private "Mystery Shoppers" are just going to give that many more false-positives or even get themselves into shit when, while trying to bait someone, they end up "baiting" someone in law enforcement and find it hard to claim "it was all a ruse."

This reminds me of a comic I read somewhere in which two shapeshifters murder the king, who turns out to also be a shapeshifter.

This one? (NSFW website, don't look at any of the other comics)

Haha! Yes. That's the one.