So, the new XBOX Live allows people to see what game you most recently played, and when the last time you logged on was. And I don’t mean the last time you competed. The last time you logged on. To your XBOX (well, the 360 at least).
Because most Live-enabled games automatically log in to the Live service, there is no way around this. You might say that it’s a neat feature. After all, you can see what games your friends play, and when they play. So can the authorities.
Not only that, but you can not only peruse your Friends list, but see which Friends they have on their lists as well. So can the authorities.
Now, I’m not saying the FBI monitors what games we play, or who we play with… or who those people play with, but it sends just a bit of a shiver down my spine that the first thing I thought when I saw this feature was, “Oh…. shit,” and not “wow, cool.”
I’d be less worried about the FBI and more worried about the boss if you call in sick and he sees that you logged into Xbox Live, I think.
It was bad enough when Microsoft allowed you to get alerts to your cell phone whenever one of your friends signed on; at least that was only available to people you approved. But for anyone to be able to see when you last logged on? Not cool…
Dude… did you forget to take your medication?
Step away from the Xbox. Take off the tinfoil hat. And, get some fresh air.
Colin, you know I don’t wear a tinfoil hat. It’s been proven to amplify signals.
Actually, Ars has a good article on the 360:
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/xbox360.ars
And they also comment on the creepiness of Microsoft being able to monitor our gaming habits.
Yeah, I think a certain amount of tinfoil-hatting is a good, healthy thing. And in this case, I’m really hoping that most of that info gets hidden behind a “i have to approve you seeing it” wall.
Certain things are not hidden behind that wall, as far as I have been able to tell, such as when a person was last on, or what the last game they played was. This applies, as far as I am able to test, of course, to all your friends, without asking their permission.
but not to random strangers? that’s somewhat better, but not much.
I have not been able to test the strangers part yet. I’ll keep you posted.
Fight the Illuminati!