Topic: Microsoft Plays Big Brother With Xbox Live (Read 2270 times)

XanTium · « **on:** December 05, 2005, 12:40:00 PM »

Microsoft Plays Big Brother With Xbox Live-- Posted by XanTium on December 5 14:40 EST
From hexus.net:

Now no doubt Microsoft has this totally covered in its Terms and Conditions that you have to agree to when you sign up for an Xbox LIVE account, but did you know just how much information Microsoft shares with other Xbox 360 owners about what you're doing? Simply put, anyone you've been in contact with through Xbox LIVE can subsequently see what you're up to, regardless of whether they're in your friends list or not.

We here at HEXUS became a little anxious when the boss sent me a voice message over Xbox LIVE asking what I was doing viewing pictures through Media Connect instead of playing games on my Xbox 360. I assumed he'd made a lucky guess as he knew I was still playing around with the Xbox 360's media functions, using Media Connect to view stored family photos from my main PC. What I didn't realise was that he could actually see what I was doing as it was being relayed over Xbox LIVE and showing up in my profile!

If you were playing games, it'd be understandable to have your profile on display, showing what games you'd played, how far you'd gotten in them, what reputation you had etc etc... All of this info is in your gamer card and relevant to online gaming in general. Where Microsoft crosses the line is when you're not gaming. Your Xbox 360 will carry on happily reporting everything you're up to...

Read More: hexus.net (via slashdot.org)

Arius · « **Reply #1 on:** December 05, 2005, 12:54:00 PM »

You dont have to have been in contact with them, you can do it via any Gamertag on a leaderboard.

I think its a cool feature to be honest.

This post has been edited by Arius: Dec 5 2005, 08:55 PM

kaz786 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 05, 2005, 12:56:00 PM »

QUOTE(Arius @ Dec 5 2005, 07:54 PM)

You dont have to have been in contact with them, you can do it via any Gamertag on a leaderboard.

I think its a cool feature to be honest.

To have your privacy breached?

tNCecil · « **Reply #3 on:** December 05, 2005, 12:58:00 PM »

Its as simple as disconnecting from Live.

broken · « **Reply #4 on:** December 05, 2005, 01:09:00 PM »

QUOTE(tNCecil @ Dec 5 2005, 08:58 PM)

Its as simple as disconnecting from Live.

Exactly.

If someone is so concerned about their "privacy" they should just sign out of Live.

I like it since I can check on a friend that I want to invite to game or chat and if I see it listing his status as watching a movie, I know I probably shouldn't disturb him.

Really, sign out of Live if its that big a deal.

RattleHead_ · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2005, 01:16:00 PM »

You can turn on privacy settings so it dosn't show.

garlm · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2005, 01:32:00 PM »

Well, let's see. This guy has two options, he can:

a) Unplug his network cable.

Try doing his job while he's at work. Poor him, he has to play a game... *sob*.

Arius · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2005, 01:49:00 PM »

So I care if it says I am playing Hexic ?

hell no.

Do I care if it says I am watching a movie

Hell no.

It cant say anything I care about so whats the problem.

Its a fun feature, when my brother is online i can see what he is doing, if he is playing a game, i tend not to disturb him etc...

There are far more things to be worried about when it comes to privacy, this is nothing compaired to some crap.

Store Cards, bio-metric passports, Credit cards etc etc etc...

Carnicero · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2005, 02:00:00 PM »

The term "Big Brother" is not refering to reality television on CBS.

Some of you fail to see the point behind the argument. The Xbox360 is essentially functioning as an Orwellian telescreen.

cyberg4 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2005, 02:14:00 PM »

Peronally i don't care if everyone sees what i am doing on my 360. just a disgruntled employee upset that his boss, (and anyone else for that matter), can see when he is looking at porn at the office.

segamanCCC · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2005, 02:18:00 PM »

This article has no merit since you can very easily edit the privacy settings and tell live exactly what you want to be shown...if anything about what your doing on live. Some people really need to stop being so paranoid. Shit even if it said Segaman is currently watching Black Anal Initiations 6 i woudlnt care lol.

Zingy · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2005, 02:22:00 PM »

So someone can see what games I'm playing. Who cares....

Carnicero · « **Reply #12 on:** December 05, 2005, 02:29:00 PM »

QUOTE(segamanCCC @ Dec 5 2005, 10:18 PM)

This article has no merit since you can very easily edit the privacy settings and tell live exactly what you want to be shown...if anything about what your doing on live.

Exactly. The article seems to be a result of boredom in relation to Xbox360 stories. There's a lot of strange and melodramatic ones coming out since the shortage and defective units articles dried up. I think the entire industry thought there was going to be more to talk about given this is the first nextgen console launch.

kidkinetix · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2005, 02:32:00 PM »

I like the features he's whining about. Just as long as it never says "KinetiX: Off shagging an ugly whale because he was desperate". That may be too personal but feel free to know im looking at pictures on media centre.

People will make a story out of anything.

prankfurter · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2005, 02:33:00 PM »

as stated earlier in this thread you can change it:

when you first bring up the guide click on your gamer card at the top, then choose "edit gamer profile" then go to "privacy settings" and you can set what you want others to be able to see. you can view hide everything from online status (show nothing) to games (don't show what games your playing) and so on...

now is that something to fret about? I don't think so, I actually like the live aware feature

Author Topic: Microsoft Plays Big Brother With Xbox Live (Read 2270 times)