What will the introduction of strict digital surveillance measures mean?
A recent report by the U.S. Court of Accounts (GAO) claims that many gaming companies are working closely with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to identify content related to domestic violent extremism.
The report separately notes that mechanisms for detecting extremism, for example, in social networks, have existed for a long time, and similar processes are currently being actively developed for the gaming industry.
The main focus of the GAO report is on the need to develop a common strategy for effective interaction between the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with gaming companies, so that their actions are as effective as possible and completely legal. DHS has already agreed with the GAO's recommendation and promises to develop the necessary strategy by June 28 this year.
The report also reveals Congressional pressure on major gaming companies to step up their fight against extremist content. So, in March last year, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin, sent letters to Valve, Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Riot Games, Roblox Corp and Take-Two Interactive with a demand to take measures regarding the implementation of control over the behavior and social interaction of gamers.
As it became known from the same report, a certain system of reporting extremist activities already exists in the United States, and large gaming companies are trying to inform the FBI about obvious cases of violation of American law.
However, the GAO emphasizes that so far the FBI and DHS still lack a single comprehensive strategy that allows them to bring their work with gaming companies in line with the agency's broader goals.
In its current form, the activities of US government agencies raise questions among some media personalities. For example, Hassan Piker, a popular streamer on the Twitch platform, noted that when it comes to identifying extremism, the FBI is much more likely to target vulnerable teenagers with mental disabilities than real criminals.
The Federal government is paying special attention to the fight against extremism after the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. President Joe Biden, on his first day in office, even directed his team to conduct a comprehensive review of federal efforts to combat domestic terrorism, which the White House deemed "the most urgent terrorist threat facing the United States."
Biden's directive resulted in the first-ever national strategy to combat domestic terrorism, which includes, among other things, online gaming platforms — as a place where people are recruited and mobilized to participate in such activities.
It is noted that federal agencies are actively focusing on the gaming industry as a channel for radicalization and communication of extremists. Thus, an internal intelligence assessment of the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security for 2019 warned about the possibility of using popular online gaming platforms by extremists.
An important part of the work is to ensure a balance between combating extremism and protecting the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of speech. Given the ongoing legal proceedings on this issue, the victims of the system may well be people who need psychological help, and not an indictment and a prison sentence.
It is extremely important that law enforcement agencies act within the law, guided by clear criteria and a transparent strategy when interacting with gaming companies. Otherwise, the fight against extremism risks turning into a violation of democratic values.
A recent report by the U.S. Court of Accounts (GAO) claims that many gaming companies are working closely with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to identify content related to domestic violent extremism.
The report separately notes that mechanisms for detecting extremism, for example, in social networks, have existed for a long time, and similar processes are currently being actively developed for the gaming industry.
The main focus of the GAO report is on the need to develop a common strategy for effective interaction between the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with gaming companies, so that their actions are as effective as possible and completely legal. DHS has already agreed with the GAO's recommendation and promises to develop the necessary strategy by June 28 this year.
The report also reveals Congressional pressure on major gaming companies to step up their fight against extremist content. So, in March last year, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin, sent letters to Valve, Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Riot Games, Roblox Corp and Take-Two Interactive with a demand to take measures regarding the implementation of control over the behavior and social interaction of gamers.
As it became known from the same report, a certain system of reporting extremist activities already exists in the United States, and large gaming companies are trying to inform the FBI about obvious cases of violation of American law.
However, the GAO emphasizes that so far the FBI and DHS still lack a single comprehensive strategy that allows them to bring their work with gaming companies in line with the agency's broader goals.
In its current form, the activities of US government agencies raise questions among some media personalities. For example, Hassan Piker, a popular streamer on the Twitch platform, noted that when it comes to identifying extremism, the FBI is much more likely to target vulnerable teenagers with mental disabilities than real criminals.
The Federal government is paying special attention to the fight against extremism after the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. President Joe Biden, on his first day in office, even directed his team to conduct a comprehensive review of federal efforts to combat domestic terrorism, which the White House deemed "the most urgent terrorist threat facing the United States."
Biden's directive resulted in the first-ever national strategy to combat domestic terrorism, which includes, among other things, online gaming platforms — as a place where people are recruited and mobilized to participate in such activities.
It is noted that federal agencies are actively focusing on the gaming industry as a channel for radicalization and communication of extremists. Thus, an internal intelligence assessment of the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security for 2019 warned about the possibility of using popular online gaming platforms by extremists.
An important part of the work is to ensure a balance between combating extremism and protecting the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of speech. Given the ongoing legal proceedings on this issue, the victims of the system may well be people who need psychological help, and not an indictment and a prison sentence.
It is extremely important that law enforcement agencies act within the law, guided by clear criteria and a transparent strategy when interacting with gaming companies. Otherwise, the fight against extremism risks turning into a violation of democratic values.
