Microsoft has responded to fresh claims published in The Guardian this morning that UK spies contemplated using Kinect for surveillance.
The program, called Optic Nerve, apparently targeted 1.8 million Yahoo users in an attempt to collect masses of webcam images. Part of the report, however, also mentions a presentation that flags "interest" in the Kinect's capabilities.
Supposedly the Xbox 360 motion sensor was intriguing as it generated "fairly normal webcam traffic". The Guardian's documents suggest that while Kinect was seriously being considered for integration into Optic Nerve, there's no evidence to suggest it was ever actually used to spy on people.
When Eurogamer contacted Microsoft for comment, the company responded saying: "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 services and are advocating for legal reforms."
Late last year there were accusations that Xbox Live had been breached by government agents, along with games like World of Warcraft. This in turn led to the formation of a group angling for Global Government Surveillance Reform, with Google and other tech giants all joining forces to ask for open discussion about mass surveillance.
GCHQ has told The Guardian that all of its actions are necessary and above all legal within UK law.
