Online video games like "World of Warcraft" and "Second Life" were reportedly grounds for snooping by no less than the National Security Agency (NSA) and UK's GCHQ.

According to a Fox News report, the Guardian, the New York Times and Pro Publica have confirmed that the two security agencies have infiltrated online video games for anti-terrorism causes. The report is based on a supposedly secret document stolen and released by the former National Security Agency contractor Edward J. Snowden.

The classified documents claim that online video games such as "World of Warcraft" and "Second Life" are seemingly harmless at first. However, according to a document entitled "Exploiting Terrorist Use of Games & Virtual Environments," these networks are said to be good training grounds for various terrorism activities.

"Certain games offer realistic weapons training (what weapon to use against what target, what ranges can be achieved, even aiming and firing), military operations and tactics, photorealistic land navigation and terrain familiarization, and leadership skills," reads the document, notes Fox News. "Some of the 9-11 pilots had never flown a real plane, they had only trained using Microsoft's Flight Simulator."

As a result, agencies have begun studying in-game communications intently as early as 2007. The agencies reportedly deployed real-life agents into these online gaming platforms. Real-life agents are disguised in various avatars including elves, supermodels, gnomes, etc.

In fact, there were too many real-life agents lurking in "Second Life" that a "deconfliction" group was assembled to prevent collisions. Spies from the CIA, the FBI and even the Pentagon plagued the game.

Makers of the game are unaware of the agencies' infiltration. "We are unaware of any surveillance taking place," said Blizzard Entertainment, the maker of "World of Warcraft." The studio added, "if it was, it would have been done without our knowledge or permission."

It remains unclear how agencies such as the NSA and the GCHQ are able to access player data and communication among players of the games. Most players are mainly concerned of their privacy.

According to a report by Pro Publica, American players can only be spied on with the approval of the secret intelligence court. Spies are much less restricted in going about their business with international players or players from other countries.

Although agencies such as the NSA and the UK's GCHQ have extended anti-terrorism measures onto online gaming platforms, the success of its effort has not yet been determined.

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