The paranoid conspiracy theorists are at it again. This time, they've convinced themselves that the Xbox One is some kind of ultra high-tech "spy" device, designed to watch and listen to everything you do and say 24 hours a day. Of course, there's absolutely no evidence to back up these theories, but that's how delusional people think. Unless someone proves them wrong (which they know is impossible because the console is still months away from release), they will maintain their positions. Conspiracy theories by nature do not rely on evidence or facts; they are generally just a way of expressing hatred towards an individual, group, government, or company.
I've seen too many comments lately like:
Kinect - always watching - always listening.
If you don't like MS's stance on used games - fine. There's evidence to support those positions. If you don't like MS's focus on the Xbox One's multimedia capabilities - fine. Again, there's evidence to support those arguments. If anyone has a link to a reputable source that says Kinect will spy on users 24 hours a day, I'd love to see it. But inventing crazy conspiracy theories simply because you prefer a different gaming console is the lowest form of expressing your opinion.
Look at it this way. Cell phones are always on (as most people don't turn them off), they are always connected to a network, and they are designed to transmit what you say. So, are you afraid of you cell phone too? Would you accuse Sprint, AT&T, etc. of spying on you? Or, are your negative feelings about Kinect simply because it's made by a company that competes with the maker of your favorite console?
When you put on the tinfoil hat, you're associating yourself with a lot of crazy people. You're no better than people who think the world is flat, that the moon landings were staged in Hollywood, or that the Holocaust never happened.
Not to mention, you're giving Microsoft WAY too much credit. I have always been an Xbox fan, and even I don't believe that MS could create, and make work on a large scale, the technology required to spy on, and collect information from, tens of millions of people. All for $399 (or so). If that kind of advanced technology was so cheap to mass produce, the CIA would probably buy millions of them to use the technology spy on terrorists and other enemies.
If you really want to believe in the "Kinect will spy on you" conspiracy theory, go right ahead. Enjoy your delusions and say "Hi" to Elvis for me.
Microsoft announced its financial results for Q3 of fiscal year 2026, including an update on its gaming Xbox business and more.
Not looking good. Hopefully Asha Sharma is able to turn Phil’s disaster around.
To me it's still quite remarkable how they can cash-in 5.3bn in revenue in a single quarter, since their hardware is basically dead.
The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.
Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.
15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.
These declines are on the back of extra revenue received from releasing games like Forza horizon 5 on PlayStation. So I’m being sarcastic here when I said they should go back to exclusives. Killing off a revenue stream from Ps5 sales will only make things worse
The charity event will be streamed live from Gamescom in August.
Thanks to the slip-up of an artist working on the title, we now have more evidence that a new Injustice game is in the works.
Really? The very real fact that Kinect 2 is mandatory, must be always connected and turned on, and is always listening (all of these requirements were stated by MS execs like Phil Harrison) isn't enough for you? Maybe you should take off those green goggles before telling anyone to "Take Off The Tinfoil Hats."
Ok but microsoft has ALREADY gotten in trouble for violating privacy several times in the past. They have even gotten in trouble for spying on skype conversations and guess what? the new xbox one uses skype for communication.
you would have to be pretty naive to brush that aside. or at least, you have to admit that these "delusional" people as you put who are worried about it that you are wrong when you say "there's absolutely no evidence to back up these theories".
Good example of why you should do your research before posting a blog.
Xbox one will not be listening to my family and I because i will not be buying one. which is a shame because ive always liked the crackdown series.
They have all they need in the ToS already, Kinect cannot be disconnected to play, and it listens when the system is turned off.
All that and the selling of personal info by corporations is very big business right now and you've got probable cause for concern.