The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a stern warning to military personnel, stating that they could face court martial and imprisonment if they release classified information in online war games. This comes after at least two instances where sensitive data, including details about the Eurofighter Typhoon's radar system and the Challenger 2 tank, were leaked on gaming platforms.
Military personnel have been warned they face court martial and jail if they release secret information in online war games. The move follows the disclosure that top-secret details have been released at least twice by military personnel in gaming forums.
Last month, classified information relating to an RAF combat jet’s radar system was leaked on the War Thunder game platform when a gamer discussed the scanning capabilities of the Eurofighter Typhoons Captor radar – one of the most sophisticated radar systems ever developed. War Thunder, which is played by gamers around the world, is a free combat game released by Gaijin Entertainment in 2012. The material was removed and the user was suspended from the game. In a post on War Thunder, a forum manager warned users of their responsibilities while playing, telling them: ‘I will take this opportunity to again remind everyone here, please do not, under any circumstances, try to post, share any sources unless you are 100 per cent certain they are legally declassified and publicly safe for use. ‘We will never handle or use them, and all it does is actively harm any possible future changes being possible by trying to use them. ‘Do not do it. No good will ever come from it for you or the vehicle you are trying to post for.’ War Thunder, which is played by gamers around the world, is a free combat game released by Gaijin Entertainment in 2012. Last month classified information relating to an RAF combat jet’s radar system was leaked on the War Thunder game platform when a gamer discussed the scanning capabilities of the Eurofighter Typhoons Captor radar. Another gamer released secret information relating to the Challenger 2 tank in 2021. The gamer, who called himself Challenger 2 Commander, posted a classified document online to improve the accuracy of the design of the tank in the game. The MoD said: ‘We take the unauthorised release of information very seriously. Any potential breaches are investigated, with penalties for personnel found culpable. In the most serious of cases, this can lead to prosecution.’ The issue has become so serious that it was also raised in Parliament. Answering a parliamentary question, defence minister Luke Pollard said: ‘Unauthorised release of information endangers our national security and makes protecting the United Kingdom harder. 'It is contrary to the ethos and policies of the Ministry of Defence, and we take the unauthorised release of information very seriously.’ Former military intelligence officer Colonel Philip Ingram said the problem was sometimes the result of grooming by foreign spies, adding: ‘Classified material being leaked on to realistic gaming sites is becoming an increasing problem. ‘Those who fall victim to this are either naive individuals trying to boast or more worryingly they are being groomed by hostile intelligence agencies to give away our secrets. This happens.’ He added: ‘I hope the MoD addresses this very real and growing series of online threats.
NATIONAL SECURITY MILITARY PERSONNEL ONLINE WAR GAMES CLASSIFIED INFORMATION COURT MARTIAL LEAKS CHALLENGER 2 TANK EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON MOD UK DEFENCE
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Top military intelligence chief faces jail after groping female officer during boozy night out in Dubai...Lady Louise Windsor joins Army officer hopefuls exercise in bid to be first female royal since 1945 to serve
Read more »
Swearing tourists could face jail in St KittsVisitors to the Caribbean island of St Kitts are warned they could face jail time for swearing in public. The island has a strict law against profanity, dating back to 1961, which can result in fines of up to £150 or even six months imprisonment.
Read more »
Eight Men Face Jail After Woman Found Crammed in a Car Glove BoxA Vietnamese woman was discovered hidden in a compartment behind the dashboard of a vehicle, leading to the arrest of a criminal gang who smuggled people into the UK. Authorities seized counterfeit documents, cigarettes, and cash.
Read more »
Invictus Games: West Midlands athletes prepare to competeInjured military veterans and serving personnel will be competing in next month's Games in Canada.
Read more »
Scots who create or share sexually explicit deepfakes could face jail under SNP plansThe Scottish Government is considering a legal crackdown on the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images without consent. John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister, said he is willing to work with the UK Government to criminalize these AI-generated images, which often target women and girls. Labour MSP Pauline McNeill raised the issue at First Minister's Questions, highlighting the 'unsettling' nature of deepfakes being created by people known to the victims. She gave an example of schoolgirls discovering male classmates were making deepfakes of them and urged the Government to close any legal loopholes.
Read more »
Migrants Who Thwart Channel Rescues Face Five Years in Jail Under Labour LawLabour's new law aims to tackle the small boats crisis by criminalizing those who impede rescue attempts in the English Channel. The legislation also includes measures to disrupt people-smuggling operations, seize mobile phones, and gather intelligence on the criminal networks involved.
Read more »