14 DAY TRIAL // The FBI and the International Game Developers Association have started to work together to create a way for developers to deal with online harassment.
Polygon reports that an online resource will be created in the coming months which will help outline what developers can do to minimize harassment and how to best deal with it when it happens. Since such behavior is widespread across the Internet, the tool could come in handy beyond the world of video games.
Kate Edwards, executive director of the International Game Developers Association, revealed that she had been approached by the FBI in July when she discussed about the harassment of developers online at the Comic-Con in San Diego.
“I had a meeting with the FBI in July regarding harassment. They noted a rise in activity. They themselves monitor this activity, but they’re focused more on cybercrime issues like hacking and very malicious harassment,” she said.
Online harassment has been growing popular, especially when it comes to the gaming community. Several incidents in the past year involved serious threats against various game developers, death threats and more.
The resource they’re now building should help developers handle online harassment, which many people have requested over time due to the escalation of the situation.
Association members, as well as special interest groups will be discussing things over with outside organizations specialized in issues such as bullying and online harassment.
“What [the FBI] wanted from me was an interface for developers so they can share preventative measures they want to get out to us. We met, discussed the issue and said, 'Let's collaborate,’” said Edwards explained.
In recent years, discussions about the effects of online bullying have been launched on a frequent base, including by the White House and Michelle Obama who has taken a stance against such online behavior.
Aside from the irritating attitudes we see on the Internet every day, with people being rude and crude with no real reason, there are also cases when death threats are issued, threats are made or suicide is suggested.
While on many occasions these are just words, there are cases when things escalade and people actually fear for their lives. In such instances, it’s obviously best if they have a way to report the issues while being taken seriously. Game developers have been targeted on numerous occasions, so the fact that they’re getting this kind of support is great.