Spies like us?
Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has launched a ‘recruitment drive’ over Xbox Live using banners and videos to entice 18-34 year olds. They’ve hooked up with recruitment firm TMP Worldwide to run a six week campaign to not only include banner ads but also some kind of in-game content, a statement from a GCHQ spokeswoman states: 
“…Quick thinking, problem solving, and teamwork were identical to the core criteria that the agency looks for in its recruits. The 18-34 age brackets, which accounts for the majority of Xbox Live players, is also ideal for the agency. As well as tackling traditional threats GCHQ’s work is also about helping government departments, such as the Ministry of Defence, to protect their information and communication systems…”
“…This means we can offer excellent training and careers for people with specialist technical skills. However, the fact remains that many potential candidates remain unaware of GCHQ and what we do. Using video on Xbox Live helps carry our message to the right people in a creative and innovative manner…”
Things like this have been tried before for all those who played Splinter Cell: Double Agent back in ’07 but if you agree to the ‘Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows LIVE Terms of Use’ there is a specific section on spamming;
5. How You May Not Use the Service.
In using the Service, you may not:
Use any portion of the Service as a destination linked from any unsolicited bulk messages or unsolicited commercial messages (“spam”); or send, either directly or indirectly, any spam through the Service.
Which is fair enough, I’m a techie I see TOO MUCH spam during my working day I don’t want to be blasted with it on my console. A further statement reads;
Use the Service for commercial purposes (except as expressly permitted by us) – ahh so as long as you say it’s ok to put this spam on (and I assume at a very handsome exchange of cash AND disguising it as a recruitment drive) it’s ok? Shouldn’t we have a say seeing how we pay for the service? Shouldn’t we at least be allowed to turn that off? Not sure I want banners appearing at crucial points during COD just because I managed to drop someone with a pistol from the other side of the map. Guess it’s just a case of do as I say not as I do but I’m sure the lure to potentially become the next Bond for some of you will be just too strong.
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