that Lineage picture looks like something you’d find on the ‘net

thankfully though this sort of behavior is ultimately self-destructive. (at least we can count on either suspicion or natural selection taking care of SOME of this for us).

I just find it funny how quickly the gaming community gets alarmist over these things.

Well before 9/11, various government intelligence agencies had shown how many illegal activities- from drug trafficking, to gangs, to espionage and terrorism, had started using public internet sites (like forums, image sharing services, etc) to send clandestine communications. It’s the online equivalent of “drop points” and notice markers- used by any cell-based covert structure to communicate without meeting face-to-face (at most just making eye contact in crowded places).

That was done almost a decade ago. Realizing that it was being used as such didn’t stop flickr from becoming popular. It didn’t result in banning chatrooms or forums or other places that could serve as quick drop locations. It doesn’t mean that the government hired thousands to web browse all day.

It was enough to understand that communication WAS happening that way- to make operatives aware of it, to be aware that it could be happening, and how it could happen.

The image overlay example is fun to laugh at, but this is just an electronic equivalent of a “map overlay” that’s been used by spies for decades. IIRC one real cold war example was an actual printed magazine ad. When aligned atop a city map, all the instances of one character variation mapped the “drop points” to be used for future transfers.

It isn’t farfetched or alarmist to put it in an MMO. MMO’s can be the “public place” where you can meet in crowds without seen as actually MEETING. You could put up custom descriptions on items in the game’s marketplace to serve as “drop points.” Heck, if RMT or character sales are supported, you could electronically transfer very small sums without leaving the electronic trail that you would through the regulated banking industry.

I miss moonglow bank!

While I agree the opportunity to poke fun is vast, and one that the MMO blogosphere is clearly powerless to resist, everyone seems not to see the disclaimer: “used to emphasize contextual challenges posed by emerging media environments.”

Yes, they’re a very silly group. Yes, it’s they’re job to be paranoid, sometimes in ways that would make the Monty Python gang jealous. You don’t think they don’t know this?

However, they’re simply trying to point out, in a way that even politicians would understand, the challenges they face with terrorists using Gmail, MySpace, Facebook, AOL IM, etc, ad nauseum — you know, “emerging media environments”. Yes, and even WoW, though the scenario they invented is totally and side-splittingly funny to anyone familiar with MMO’s.

Love the screenies, btw, Scott. Very funny stuff..

The lesson is here that Dan Arey somehow convinced the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to pay him for playing WoW for a week.

On a serious note I dont think the feds need s a warrent to losten on on game chat.

I actually wondered about the same concept intel report concerns back in DAoC days. Its kind of funny that it took this long for the CIA to get worried.

MMOGs are an inherently bad medium for planning dastardly deeds. For one, virtually ALL communications typed through the GUI is recorded by the MMOG CS (which will be happily given to the FBI if asked); and another even if you’re using a game time card (which can be traced somewhat), you got to give some personal details on registering. It just seems a lot of trouble when you can just use skype on a private encrypted VPN.

Oh while we are at it, why are the screenshots in English? Why not in Arabic or any other foreign language from the various hotspots). The FBI don’t have enough Arabic speakers to go through the millions of hours of tapes they have already deemed suspicious, now they got to teach them how to play a WoW paladin?

“So wait a second… the guys that live in caves are going to use MMOs to plan their next shindig? Highly doubtful!”

So wait a second… the guys that live in caves are going to use Jet Airplanes as missiles to blow up public buildings? Highly Doubtful!

Seriously, use your brain. The example used for WoW is funny, but once you get past your ignorant notion that all terrorists are backwards camel lovers, you’ll start to realize that the point about using virtual spaces to coordinate and plan is actually very smart.

Gold sellers demonstrate on a daily basis how easily throwaway characters and accounts can be created, and the complete douchebaggery of many players (and posters on forums) demonstrate the level of anonymity that exists.

So put two and two together. Disposable anonymous identiities that allow communication to any one with an internet connection and a relatively powerful PC? Makes sense to me.

@yunk Now just imagine they start communicating via comments in blogs

The problem is that, as I wrote in my post, however many movie plot threats we cover, there’s twenty more for each one we did cover that we haven’t.

I’ve seen much more impressive work. Looks like some FBI guy needed a few slides for a presentation and didn’t want to spend more than 5 minutes on it.