Xbox 360 kinect sensor as potential surveillance tool

Xbox 360 Kinect sensor identified as potential surveillance tool

The British spy agency known as the GCHQ has  identified that the Xbox 360's kinect sensor could be a used for surveillance. This information comes from a leaked papers that were published in the Guardian's efforts to expose digital privacy.

This follows from information that the NSA and GCHQ discussed plans to spy on alleged terrorist actibity being orchestrated within MMOs. Because you know, that is where all terrorists hang out now.

The Guardian has released some details and a surveillance program which was given the name 'optic nerve' that was used by NSA and GCHQ to capture the webcam images of yahoo chat users. During a six month period in 2008, it is estimated that the British agency was said to have collected images from 1.8 million yahoo users. (Luckily I don't own a Yahoo account.)

Documents leaked to the Guardian suggests that GCHQ have expressed some interest in the Xbox 360's kinect function and have considered using it as a surveillance program. They were also hoping of using possible accurate facial recognition tools and eye detection cameras. (Similar to what the Xbox One has now.)

Microsoft replied regarding the leak and said "Microsoft has never heard of this program, however we're concerned about any reports of governments surreptitiously collecting private customer data. That's why in December we initiated a broad effort to expand encryption across our service and are advocating for legal reforms."

I personally don't know what to make of all this, I couldn't care less if they spied on me or not.