FBI requests data from Sony about alleged drug deal via PlayStation Network
The FBI has submitted a request to Sony for data on a PlayStation Network user, who allegedly traded cocaine through the service. Account details and chat logs are requested, among other things. It is unknown whether Sony provided the data.
The request, filed in October and discovered by Vice, asks Sony to provide data on a PSN user named Speedola20, abbreviated ‘Dola’. In the document, the user is also referred to as Alexander. Speedola20 trafficked thousands of dollars worth of cocaine, according to the FBI. “According to [een anonieme bron] Alexander is currently asking $34,000 for a kilogram of cocaine.”
The document states that US intelligence has set up a trap to investigate ‘Alexander’. An FBI informant said he ordered about 250 grams of cocaine from Alexander. He did this via the PSN chat function. Alexander agreed, after which the suspect suggested continuing the transaction “during a game” via voice chat. Presumably, the alleged drug dealer expected voice communication to be safer than text chat. It is unclear which game Alexander used for this.
The drug deal actually took place, according to the document. On August 30, a meeting took place between Alexander and the informant. The latter handed over an envelope containing the $4400, and was returned a clear plastic bag with a block of ‘white powder’, good for about 100 grams of cocaine. The two later kept in touch via PSN. In his own words, Alexander had about 28 grams of cocaine left, but the suspect would purchase more drugs in the short term.
The FBI is requesting all of Speedola20’s account information. This includes specified address details and telephone numbers, passwords and technical data such as IP addresses. The FBI also requests usage data, including information about which games the user plays. Presumably this will be used to gather information about any drug deals that have been made in-game.
It’s unknown if Sony actually provided the data, but the document states that the company is expected to “deliver within 14 days of receipt.” [van het verzoek] to provide the data’. Earlier, the console manufacturer responded to such a request. In 2017, Forbes discovered that Sony provided data to the FBI about an alleged member of a terrorist organization. In addition, surveillance is happening on other console platforms as well. In 2012, Ars Technica published a detailed post about surveillance on Xbox Live.