Curse

pumpkin pie · Jul 16, 2009, 07:48 AM // 07:48

All this while people have been thinking they can get away with anything they say in an MMORPG, the most common ones are chat with sexual context, religion / politics / racial slurs. So far, it has been deem un-deserving of a ban by Arena Net support team. Its a different thing to the Mods over on (or at, forgot) WoW, however with a different topic. But we did not see what the chat transcript, so its pretty hard to know what actually went on.

"A World of Warcraft gamer made threats in-game to blow up a commercial airline.

A recent report from WBIC in Indiana dictates that what you say within an online game or virtual social networking scene can--and will--be used against you, especially in a post-911 world. Apparently, one 18-year-old figured this out after making threats to blow up a commercial airliner within the MMORPG, World of Warcraft. Whether the gamer was joking or being quite serious is irrelevant; announcing terrorist activities in public areas--whether they're rooted in reality or created in a virtual world--is not a very good thing.

Taking the threats seriously, a World of Warcraft moderator thus contacted the authorities and provided the chat documents. Once the player's IP address was determined, the FBI traced the address back to the player and showed up at his door. According to TweakTown, the gamer was interrogated and now may face federal charges.

However, the strange part about the whole incident was the comment made by the WoW player during the interrogation with the FBI: he was merely testing a theory."

What do you think?
<< link to the news.
another link

Oogball · Jul 16, 2009, 08:20 AM // 08:20

wow.. thats kinda weird lol.
first of all, why the heck would a terrorist play WoW, and then say: "I am gonna blow up a commercial airline"? I mean when you are seriously going to do it, you aren't going to say it in public right?

Second, it kinda screaps me out. You're just playing the game, making a stupid joke (I hope it was a joke) and then before you know it FBi is at your door... WTH?

arcanemacabre · Jul 16, 2009, 08:34 AM // 08:34

This is quite disturbing...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oogball

first of all, why the heck would a terrorist play WoW, and then say: "I am gonna blow up a commercial airline"? I mean when you are seriously going to do it, you aren't going to say it in public right?

It's not that a terrorist would play WoW, it's that a WoW player could become a terrorist. Remember, a terrorist is just someone who instigates a terrorist activity. They don't necessarily have to belong to any particular group of any kind, they could simply be mentally unstable or harbor some kind of belief or ideal that would cause them to take that kind of action. The Unabomber, for instance, had no particular socio-political affiliation; just a deep-seated hatred for... umm... well, technology or something, I don't remember, but he was clearly a terrorist.

Now, the second part, announcing plans like that in public in an online video game? Yeah, don't see that happening if he's serious, but you never know what a mentally disturbed individual may/can do.

I suppose the FBI straight-up questioning him is much better than spying on him for a long period of time, totally ruining any and all freedoms he ever had.

Etta · Jul 16, 2009, 09:00 AM // 09:00

The kid brought it upon himself, no pity for him.

Bryant Again · Jul 16, 2009, 09:54 AM // 09:54

Haha, yeup kid got ownt.

*Darcy* · Jul 16, 2009, 11:54 AM // 11:54

Just proves that the internet is not as anonymous as most people believe.

Vilaptca · Jul 16, 2009, 11:57 AM // 11:57

My friend did something like this, but in the middle of a classroom. He was expelled. Amongst friends it may be funny, but in a group full of people, some of which you don't know too well, it may be best to keep some things to yourself.

Bryant Again · Jul 16, 2009, 11:58 AM // 11:58

It kinda reminded me of when I was 5 and my and my nephew called 911 then hung up the phone immediately. Less than a half an hour later did a woman in uniform show up and we thought we were sooo screwed.

I would've loved to see this kid open his door and see the FBI standing there.

Ghost Omel · Jul 16, 2009, 01:33 PM // 13:33

FBI... hmm well. now his hpone lines are tapped he got survailance after him 24/7 and people most likely know that.. those who live around him. Well Better be safe Than Sorry right.. But then again do you take every threat seriously. when you hear some 1 say " I will kill you for eating my Donut" -_-

Shursh · Jul 16, 2009, 02:11 PM // 14:11

well, you have the freedom to say whatever you want (within reason, i.e. yelling "FIRE!" in a crowded room...)

but don't be surprised when the FBI comes knocking if you say things like he did.

Fril Estelin · Jul 16, 2009, 02:41 PM // 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darcy

Just proves that the internet is not as anonymous as most people believe.

It never was and never should be. The day total anonimity is possible (and I know at least one top-notch security technology which could do that) the "bad guys" will be able to become completely invisible. Is it a price people are redy to pay?

(just after the London 7/7 bombings in 2005, the remainin terrorist was traced to Rome solely because of the subtle means to trace back mobile phones in cross-country searches, a very powerful and expensive means only available in particular conditions; without this, he would still be on the run, hidden somewhere, potentially helping terrorists)

Ghost Omel · Jul 16, 2009, 02:50 PM // 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fril Estelin

It never was and never should be. The day total anonimity is possible (and I know at least one top-notch security technology which could do that) the "bad guys" will be able to become completely invisible. Is it a price people are redy to pay?
(just after the London 7/7 bombings in 2005, the remainin terrorist was traced to Rome solely because of the subtle means to trace back mobile phones in cross-country searches, a very powerful and expensive means only available in particular conditions; without this, he would still be on the run, hidden somewhere, potentially helping terrorists)

Invisible cloaks and tanks will make them even more harder to track =).. But than again why should a bunch of terrorsit and etranationalists spoil the advance of technology?... If full anonymity will become "full" just because people want it then it will regardless of what side effects are... Last time i checked no 1 stopped selling fire arms and dynamite... yet terrorists use them -_-

Tyla · Jul 16, 2009, 03:10 PM // 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oogball

wow.. thats kinda weird lol.
first of all, why the heck would a terrorist play WoW, and then say: "I am gonna blow up a commercial airline"? I mean when you are seriously going to do it, you aren't going to say it in public right?

Second, it kinda screaps me out. You're just playing the game, making a stupid joke (I hope it was a joke) and then before you know it FBi is at your door... WTH?

Whether or not Newgrounds is full of stupid 13 year olds, full of RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO jokes or whatever, this is still slightly relevent.

Anyone who's been to Newgrounds will eventually have heard of the "SirTom" incident, which happened in March (I think so, fuzzy memory). He was a simple kid, went to college, played guitar, went with his life, until one day, he decided "let's post a thread!". The thread was saying that he was going to burn his college down, with what he used, the time, everything. No threats, no "lol jokes" or "lol u got trolled", he said he was going to do it, completely with a picture of the tools he was going to use to do it.

The police were rang by some people (who weren't even in the country) to stop it, and action was took by the authorities.

The next morning, SirTom was found at the college by the police just before the time he was going to set the place alight, complete with the tools he said he'd use (match, fuel, knife) in his bag, and was convicted, and I'm not even sure he's been let out since.

It's really wierd how such a jokey site like that turned into a serious matter. At the end of the day, an "I was trolling" or "It's a joke" anywhere in the thread won't make a difference. You've said some stupid things, then you get punished.

zelgadissan · Jul 16, 2009, 03:27 PM // 15:27

Completely off-topic story that this reminded me of:

One day I wore a Legend of Zelda based T-shirt when I was flying. I continuously kept getting pulled aside by security, frisked, etc. Finally after the fourth time, I told the guy it was my fourth time and asked if there was something suspicious about me. Moral of the story - apparently you shouldn't wear shirts with bombs on them to airports. Didn't even think about that when I put it on.

Anyway, I have no problem with this. I know in RA I've seen "I'm going to assassinate Obama" and crap like that. If it gets reported and Anet feels the need to pass it along to authorities, all power to them.

Ghost Omel · Jul 16, 2009, 03:35 PM // 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelgadissan

Completely off-topic story that this reminded me of:

One day I wore a Legend of Zelda based T-shirt when I was flying. I continuously kept getting pulled aside by security, frisked, etc. Finally after the fourth time, I told the guy it was my fourth time and asked if there was something suspicious about me. Moral of the story - apparently you shouldn't wear shirts with bombs on them to airports. Didn't even think about that when I put it on.

Anyway, I have no problem with this. I know in RA I've seen "I'm going to assassinate Obama" and crap like that. If it gets reported and Anet feels the need to pass it along to authorities, all power to them.

that a thousand deatyh threats a day 0_0

I should report my friends for threatening to kill me when i take their Duck in the restauant as well....i should go to jail i threatened my friends as well -_-

Etta · Jul 16, 2009, 03:58 PM // 15:58

^ heh, apply some common sense, man.

Ghost Omel · Jul 16, 2009, 04:06 PM // 16:06

-_-.... im am just kidding . Is that so hard to see?

I am just giving an equvivalent of what is being said just completely harmless..

Using common sense you wont go calling police after a kid sittign behind you sais " Ima kill you for stealing my duck" to the person sittign next to him, right?

thats common sense -_-

The thing about about the student wanting to set the school on fire. there was pictures and "evidense" that were sufficent to take action..

Who has theur common sence off?

pumpkin pie · Jul 16, 2009, 04:28 PM // 16:28

Reminds me of a South Park episode lol.

zelgadissan · Jul 16, 2009, 04:47 PM // 16:47

There's a big difference between telling your friend "I'm going to kill you", where all parties are comfortable and know each other, and shouting in a large public area "I'm going to kill ----". If you really want to talk about common sense, that's where it kicks in - don't be an idiot in public.

Ghost Omel · Jul 16, 2009, 04:49 PM // 16:49

-_-... Fine .. If you still dont get it then il just say this.. You are indeed correct.. If people say these things in game it must be 100 percent true you are indeed correct.