SOE Helps Recover Missing Gamer, News at Warcy

Arthais · 01-19-2007, 03:55 AM

Gamepolitics.com posted some interesting news today. It seems that with some clever detective work, Sony Online Entertainment assisted a family in Minnesota find their son, Jacob Pribyl, an MMO player who had gone missing. And while this story is inspirational and heartening, no drama could be complete without a villian. Or in this case a villian trying to dress himself as a hero, none other than an almost universally hated figure in gamig...Miami attorney Jack Thompson.

Read more about this story at EQ2warcry

On a personal note, for those that know me, I am happy to announc I have moved from CRgaming to the News and Content lead position over at EQ2 Warcry. I want to take a moment to thank everyone at CR gaming for having me for almost two years, and everyone at my new place of posting, EQ2 Warcry.

Message Edited by Arthais_CR on 01-18-2007 03:06 PM

Grimwell · 01-19-2007, 04:20 AM

Definitely an interesting read for those who are wondering.

Fayline Fyrecat · 01-19-2007, 04:40 AM

"Crazed gamers" :smileyvery-happy:

Kendricke · 01-19-2007, 04:59 AM

I think it's an amazing story myself, and considering the original story broke on KARE 11 in my hometown, I was a little concerned to see Mr. Thompson associated with the story in any way. What was more amazing, I thought, was that it was one of SOE's top brass who noticed the story and gave a call to Jacob's parents. Kudos to Andy Zaffron, who put the politics and publicizing aside and did what he could to help calm the fears of a couple of worried parents.

I think Arthais does a great job capturing my feelings on the subject of the story here and it really is a great read. I enjoyed working with Arthais over at CR Gaming, and in a strange twist of fate, find myself in a position to collaborate with him once again. And though I know CR Gaming is sad to see him go, we're certainly glad to have him onboard at Warcry.

Kendricke · 01-19-2007, 05:04 AM

Fayline Fyrecat wrote:

"Crazed gamers" :smileyvery-happy:

You left out "sycophantic" and "panting". SMILEY

sweetangel01 · 01-19-2007, 05:28 AM

Am i the only one just shocked about this.

This guy was 20 years old an adult. He left of his own will and sony violated his privacy and gave out his information. What if this ADULT had been molested as a child or something from his parents and he left never wanting to see again. Or any number of things. For sony to give out private information about thier customers in this fashion is just wrong.

Message Edited by sweetangel01 on 01-18-2007 04:29 PM

Foolsfolly · 01-19-2007, 06:14 AM

Exactly what I was thinking. This kid was probobly abused by his parents and left without telling anyone exactly because he did not want to be found. Then sony had to go and [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] up the whole deal by telling his parents exactly where he was. Way to go sony =/

Kiara- · 01-19-2007, 06:49 AM

Frelling amazing. Sony does something good... or even just POTENTIALLY good but rather than give them credit for it... you find any possible way to turn them into the bad guys.

What lovely people.

Paladin776 · 01-19-2007, 07:10 AM

sweetangel01 wrote:

Am i the only one just shocked about this.

This guy was 20 years old an adult. He left of his own will and sony violated his privacy and gave out his information. What if this ADULT had been molested as a child or something from his parents and he left never wanting to see again. Or any number of things. For sony to give out private information about thier customers in this fashion is just wrong.

Message Edited by sweetangel01 on 01-18-2007 04:29 PM

Until you go through this same situation, you will NEVER understand. NEVER.

I have had a child go missing and seemingly drop off the face of the earth. Granted, it was only for a week, but that week is 7 eternities. You have no clue if your child is getting into something they shouldn't be, hurt or, heaven forbid, dead. You don't exhaust any means to try to find them, and even the thinnest shred of information helps to maintain a glimmer of hope. And as far as I'm concerned, age has absolutely NOTHING to do with it.

SOE didn't have to do what they did. They could have just sat back and let things happen like the cold, uncaring, player-ignoring company they have ever been portrayed as. Nope, these people that most of you paint as a company that could care less about anything other than the almighty dollar stepped up, dropped their player-given facade, and actually helped reunite a child with their parents, if only to assure the parents that the child is OK, not in any harm, and is in a safe place.

Of course, these are probably the same players who would rise up in anger and say that SOE went beyond privacy protections to bring the cops in on a possible and potential suicide, which they have done more times than you can imagine.

KerowynnKaotic · 01-19-2007, 07:16 AM

sweetangel01 wrote:

*snipped*

Ya know what is really going on don't you? ...

The kid was really co-opted into some kind of "Anti-Everything" Cult that plays Online MMOs surfing the net for guliable kids just like Jacob Pribly.

They got him to leave his home without telling his family anything by promising him free sex with "Hot Barely Legal" Gamer Babes!

Now, that SOE got involved and actually tracked him down to his Original Location .. they had to move him to another "safe house".

Where he will be forced to play Online MMOs till his eyes bleed and taunted daily that his [Removed for Content] isn't big enough for the only female gamer in the group.

Oh and the 2 people complaining about SOE "invading" the privacy of a 20year old at the request of the Mother via indirect means during a Public Man Hunt for the kid .. .. yeah .. those are the co-leaders of the "Anti-Everything" Cult.

---

Hey! If you are going to make up stuff .. should at least do something decently wacked out ..

StargateFanGirl · 01-19-2007, 07:28 AM

Right... I very very seriously doubt this guy was being abused by his parents.

You can debate the ethics of SOE having done what they did, but the guy was missing, he didn't tell anyone where he was going, and while yes he is a legal adult and can do what he likes, it's still irresponsible to not tell someone that you're leaving town or to atleast leave a note, you know 'cause people tend to worry when someone who normally doesn't do stuff like that just up and disappears...

They had no idea what happened to their son, for all they knew he was abducted, or hurt in an accident or dead. SOE had the possible resources to help track this guy down since he was a MMO gamer and give reassurances to the family that he was alive and well and they did that. Also, SOE did not give out the information to just anyone, they gave the information to people who needed it the most. His very worried parents - who by the way, already know all his personal information, they just needed his location.

Seffrid · 01-19-2007, 07:29 AM

Let me say at the outset that as a British player I have no clue what the stuff about the attorney or "crazed gamers" is to do with, and the latter may have a major bearing on the case although the age of the missing person is also critical.

Let me also say that I sympathise hugely with the parents in the case, not least as some years ago my adult sister was missing for several hours before the police recovered her body from a well-known suicide spot and so I do understand what they were going through.

Nonetheless, I have to question SOE's action as reported, and here in Europe it would have been a pretty clear infringement of the adult son's human rights. Even the police in such circumstances if they find the son - being an adult - are only able to advise the family that he is alive and well unless he consents to more information being provided as to his whereabouts. That would apply unless the police were satisfied that he had been abducted by the "crazed gamers" - joining them by his free will however distorted would have prevented the police from reporting his location to the family.

Let's hope it is a truly happy outcome in the long term.

Doubtless Smed was involved in the decision making over SOE's involvement, and his blogs have given me the impression that he is above all else a devout family man who would display only the very best of intentions in such a case, so that too needs to be borne in mind. In that sense, qudos to SOE for helping to resolve a family tragedy.

Message Edited by Seffrid on 01-18-2007 06:32 PM

Message Edited by Seffrid on 01-18-2007 06:36 PM

-FirePuff- · 01-19-2007, 08:10 AM

If your husband went off somewhere and didn't notify any known family or friends, wouldn't you try to work with whatever resources possible to find him? What about your adult sister? While he is 20 years old and free to make his own decisions, there was still the possibility that he was in trouble. Now that the situation is resolved (that he's found and not dead), everyone can go back to doing whatever. Wherever he wants to go from here is his decision as an adult.

StargateFanGirl · 01-19-2007, 08:31 AM

The lawyer in question, Jack Thompson, is an anti-gaming lawyer, generally he goes around sueing gaming companies and bad mouthing gamers.

He's probably the most hated person in the American gaming industry. In this case, the parents contacted Thompson for help in finding their son, and after he was found and with no one actually knowing just what exactly Thompson did to help, he congratulates himself on being instrumental in finding him and then insults gamers and the readers of GamePolitics.com.

/Quote Thompson/ "We found the Pribyl boy. He is in Illinois holed up with crazed gamers. We found him because of my going public and good police work. Tell your sycophantic, panting audience that. /end quote/

Nice guy huh? And to clarify the "crazed gamers" thing, no, the people he was with aren't crazed, he calls all of us crazed.

Arthais · 01-19-2007, 10:41 AM

I want to point out one thing. If you read the report, take a look at WHO it was who made the call to gamepolitcs. Andy Zaffron, Senior Vice-president and General Counsel at Sony Online Entertainment.

Note the part in bold, SOE's general counsel. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, let me explain. Basically Zaffron is SOE's chief attorney. The man isthe #1 lawyer for SOE, and I promise you, I am QUITE sure the man knows the law in this regard.

So while some of you may have some ethical concerns, I'm pretty certain the man knows the law.

Arthais · 01-19-2007, 11:01 AM

regarding Thompson, since some may not be familiar, I reposted an old article I wrote about him about a year ago. If you're interested in what this guy's about, check here.

Melodar · 01-19-2007, 05:24 PM

Sad part is a 20 yr old person had his privacy violated and was tracked down via records. If this had been someone under 18 then this would have been acceptable but the fact the person was a legal adult shows blatent disreguard for people's privacy. SMILEY

I feel for you who have had a child go missing however if that child were 18 yrs old they can make their own decisions and having their privacy violated in this way is simply wrong. It doesn't matter if he had problems at home or if his parents were the greatest to ever walk to earth Sony violated his privacy period and their is absolutely no excuse for that. Shame on you Sony.

Kendricke · 01-19-2007, 05:47 PM

Melodar wrote:

I feel for you who have had a child go missing however if that child were 18 yrs old they can make their own decisions and having their privacy violated in this way is simply wrong. It doesn't matter if he had problems at home or if his parents were the greatest to ever walk to earth Sony violated his privacy period and their is absolutely no excuse for that. Shame on you Sony.

Ironically, the only reason they found him is because he violated the EULA/NDA for the Vanguard Beta in the first place. SMILEY So tell me again about privacy rights?

SenorPhrog · 01-19-2007, 06:35 PM

I only glanced at this when I was reading Coyote's blog this morning and well...Coyote focused more on what the kid was doing than what they were playing. Was this an EverQuest 2 account they utilized?

edit: Going to Gamepolitics and reading the whole story answered my question.

Message Edited by Radar-X on 01-19-2007 08:37 AM

GPA_Coyote · 01-19-2007, 07:13 PM

Jack Thompson is a scumbag.

Gaming and MMO's had NOTHING to do with this kid disappearing.

Nasty freaky geek sex? Everything to do with it.

Poor kid gets his cherry busted and its front page news...how embarrassing. Someone should sue Thompson.

Message Edited by GPA_Coyote on 01-19-2007 10:13 PM

sweetangel01 · 01-19-2007, 07:38 PM

"I have had a child go missing and seemingly drop off the face of the earth. Granted, it was only for a week, but that week is 7 eternities. You have no clue if your child is getting into something they shouldn't be, hurt or, heaven forbid, dead. You don't exhaust any means to try to find them, and even the thinnest shred of information helps to maintain a glimmer of hope. And as far as I'm concerned, age has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. "

I am one of those persons who left her parents. I have horrid parents. I made allot money from my business and then they tried harassing and doing anything they could to hurt me. I have poofed where they cannot find me. I am an adult and can do as I wish. I would hate to have had sony violate my rights in this manner.

Message Edited by sweetangel01 on 01-19-2007 06:38 AM

GPA_Coyote · 01-19-2007, 07:44 PM

sweetangel01 wrote:

"I have had a child go missing and seemingly drop off the face of the earth. Granted, it was only for a week, but that week is 7 eternities. You have no clue if your child is getting into something they shouldn't be, hurt or, heaven forbid, dead. You don't exhaust any means to try to find them, and even the thinnest shred of information helps to maintain a glimmer of hope. And as far as I'm concerned, age has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. "

I am one of those persons who left her parents. I have horrid parents. I made allot money from my business and then they tried harassing and doing anything they could to hurt me. I have poofed where they cannot find me. I am an adult and can do as I wish. I would hate to have had sony violate my rights in this manner.

Message Edited by sweetangel01 on 01-19-2007 06:38 AM

I disagree that Pribyls "rights" were violated.

You left obviously on bad terms with your parents. I'm sure there was a fight, slamming of doors and things to escalate your leaving.

This dude didn't show up to dinner - BIG difference.

silvername · 01-19-2007, 07:50 PM

Goos point coyote. big diffrence. leaving when someone knows you are, but not letting them know where is one thing. it is another to dissaper with out telling anyone. then everyone assumes you where taken or dead.

GOOD WORK SONY. YOU GUYS ROCK.

sweetangel01 · 01-19-2007, 08:10 PM

"I disagree that Pribyls "rights" were violated.

You left obviously on bad terms with your parents. I'm sure there was a fight, slamming of doors and things to escalate your leaving.

This dude didn't show up to dinner - BIG difference."

You are right that is a big diffrence, but who gets to be the person to say whos rights get to be violated per what issue. We dont know what really happened behind the closed doors of this family. There could have been slammed doors or any number of things. Thats why respecting someone rights needs to be a something steady, not a pick and choose type thing.

GPA_Coyote · 01-19-2007, 08:13 PM

sweetangel01 wrote:

"I disagree that Pribyls "rights" were violated.
You left obviously on bad terms with your parents. I'm sure there was a fight, slamming of doors and things to escalate your leaving.

This dude didn't show up to dinner - BIG difference."

You are right that is a big diffrence, but who gets to be the person to say whos rights get to be violated per what issue. We dont know what really happened behind the closed doors of this family. There could have been slammed doors or any number of things. Thats why respecting someone rights needs to be a something steady, not a pick and choose type thing.

You are trying to argue between disrespect and alarm. From *everything* I've read on this, the kid had a good family life - his parents were driving him around and there were no precursers to this event. It was alarm. Not disrespect.

If my best friend who is in his thirties disappears for a week? Doesn't show up to work, no one hears from him and he just disappears? I'm calling the cops - not out of disrespect, but out of alarm.

If you were to follow your own advice - there would never be a "missing persons" case open, because you are just "respecting" the persons right to vanish without a trace.

Kiara- · 01-19-2007, 08:14 PM

So what about the kid (say 20ish) in college or whatever who just disappears one day?

They don't say anything to anyone. They're an adult.

Can their parents not be worried and try to find them if for no other reason than to know they're alive?

Sony did a good thing. The guy's parents know he's alive.

sweetangel01 · 01-19-2007, 08:20 PM

What should have happened is if sony wanted to be the good guys, they should have contacted and asked if he wanted to have his information given out. Also the police on a missing persons also contact the missing person when found first not the person who filed it. If that person says they dont want that information given the case is closed and the person whom filed is told they where found and nothing else.

"If you were to follow your own advice - there would never be a "missing persons" case open, because you are just "respecting" the persons right to vanish without a trace."

I was not saying that at all. I am saying there is steps to be taken to protect the persons rights. These steps are already taken by police in a missing persons case if they are of age.

Message Edited by sweetangel01 on 01-19-2007 07:24 AM

Kiara- · 01-19-2007, 08:28 PM

I doubt that they just called up the kid's parents and said hey, here ya go!!

Their legal counsel dealt with the police on the matter.

You're assuming that they just handed out his info, just as I am assuming they followed the appropriate procedure.

Kendricke · 01-19-2007, 08:38 PM

sweetangel01 wrote:

You are right that is a big diffrence, but who gets to be the person to say whos rights get to be violated per what issue.

Well, as I stated, the only reason SOE could find Jacob in the first place was because he violated the terms of his Vanguard NDA. So, before we come rushing to poor ole' Jacob's defense too quickly, remember that he's the one who started down the path of violating "rights".

Secondly, these aren't even "rights" we're talking about. Read your EULA sometime. SOE’s posted privacy policy provides, among other things, that they “may also disclose any of your personal information to . . . other appropriate third parties . . . as we deem necessary in our sole discretion . . . .”

Apparantly it would seem that in this case, Mr. Zaffron (SOE's top legal counsel) determined per SOE's "sole discretion" (read: they don't need your permission, or anyone else's actualy) that this was an "appropriate third party".

I applaud him for having the presence of mind to contact Andy's parents and to spend time out of his day (do you have any idea how much a senior counsel, much less a corporate V.P.'s time is worth?) to track down anyone who might be able to assist in finding their son.

SOE does enough things to get hassled over. This isn't one of them.

EDIT ADDENDUM:

Here was Andy's response to the story, as listed in the comment section:

Andrew S. Zaffron Says:
January 18th, 2007 at 3:39 pm

On behalf of Sony Online Entertainment, I’d like to thank Dennis and gamepolitics.com for the “heads up” on this matter (given the purely local reach of the television interview, we’d have never known of the parents’ concern without gamepolitics.com), and applaud him for all the time and effort he puts into this site.

I just knew that, somehow and/or somewhere, I’d see or hear a comment like that posted by “Jay” above. I have three responses:

(1) We’re people first: corporate formality concerns are somewhere below that on the list;

(2) Seasoned and sound decision-making is using judgment (taking into account various relevant factors), to make a mature and hopefully correct decision; and

(3) We take privacy concerns very seriously; 99% of the time, I require a subpoena before divulging any customer information to any person or entity. However, SOE’s posted privacy policy provides, among other things, that “We may also disclose any of your personal information to . . . other appropriate third parties . . . as we deem necessary in our sole discretion . . . .”

Considering all of the circumstances here, and as human beings, we deemed it necessary.

Andy

Message Edited by Kendricke on 01-19-2007 07:53 AM

sweetangel01 · 01-19-2007, 08:46 PM

well quess I cant argue with the way Sony wrote thier policy =) all I can do is put nothing but fake information on my account now. thanks for the post on what he wrote by the way I was looking for that =)

01-19-2007, 04:40 AM	#3
Fayline Fyrecat Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Humboldt County, CA Posts: 175	"Crazed gamers" :smileyvery-happy: __________________

01-19-2007, 04:59 AM	#4
Kendricke Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,032	I think it's an amazing story myself, and considering the original story broke on KARE 11 in my hometown, I was a little concerned to see Mr. Thompson associated with the story in any way. What was more amazing, I thought, was that it was one of SOE's top brass who noticed the story and gave a call to Jacob's parents. Kudos to Andy Zaffron, who put the politics and publicizing aside and did what he could to help calm the fears of a couple of worried parents. I think Arthais does a great job capturing my feelings on the subject of the story here and it really is a great read. I enjoyed working with Arthais over at CR Gaming, and in a strange twist of fate, find myself in a position to collaborate with him once again. And though I know CR Gaming is sad to see him go, we're certainly glad to have him onboard at Warcry. __________________ * -Opinions expressed in this post do not represent any current or past employers.

01-19-2007, 05:04 AM	#5
Kendricke Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,032	Fayline Fyrecat wrote: "Crazed gamers" :smileyvery-happy: You left out "sycophantic" and "panting". __________________ * -Opinions expressed in this post do not represent any current or past employers.

01-19-2007, 06:49 AM	#8
Kiara- Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Neriak, baby! Posts: 595	Frelling amazing. Sony does something good... or even just POTENTIALLY good but rather than give them credit for it... you find any possible way to turn them into the bad guys. What lovely people. __________________

01-19-2007, 07:10 AM	#9
Paladin776 Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 501	sweetangel01 wrote: Am i the only one just shocked about this. This guy was 20 years old an adult. He left of his own will and sony violated his privacy and gave out his information. What if this ADULT had been molested as a child or something from his parents and he left never wanting to see again. Or any number of things. For sony to give out private information about thier customers in this fashion is just wrong. Message Edited by sweetangel01 on 01-18-2007 04:29 PM Until you go through this same situation, you will NEVER understand. NEVER. I have had a child go missing and seemingly drop off the face of the earth. Granted, it was only for a week, but that week is 7 eternities. You have no clue if your child is getting into something they shouldn't be, hurt or, heaven forbid, dead. You don't exhaust any means to try to find them, and even the thinnest shred of information helps to maintain a glimmer of hope. And as far as I'm concerned, age has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. SOE didn't have to do what they did. They could have just sat back and let things happen like the cold, uncaring, player-ignoring company they have ever been portrayed as. Nope, these people that most of you paint as a company that could care less about anything other than the almighty dollar stepped up, dropped their player-given facade, and actually helped reunite a child with their parents, if only to assure the parents that the child is OK, not in any harm, and is in a safe place. Of course, these are probably the same players who would rise up in anger and say that SOE went beyond privacy protections to bring the cops in on a possible and potential suicide, which they have done more times than you can imagine. __________________

01-19-2007, 03:55 AM	#1
Arthais Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 144	Gamepolitics.com posted some interesting news today. It seems that with some clever detective work, Sony Online Entertainment assisted a family in Minnesota find their son, Jacob Pribyl, an MMO player who had gone missing. And while this story is inspirational and heartening, no drama could be complete without a villian. Or in this case a villian trying to dress himself as a hero, none other than an almost universally hated figure in gamig...Miami attorney Jack Thompson. Read more about this story at EQ2warcry On a personal note, for those that know me, I am happy to announc I have moved from CRgaming to the News and Content lead position over at EQ2 Warcry. I want to take a moment to thank everyone at CR gaming for having me for almost two years, and everyone at my new place of posting, EQ2 Warcry. Message Edited by Arthais_CR on 01-18-2007 03:06 PM

01-19-2007, 04:20 AM	#2
Grimwell Community Relations Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,062	Definitely an interesting read for those who are wondering.

01-19-2007, 05:28 AM	#6
sweetangel01 Augur Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8	Am i the only one just shocked about this. This guy was 20 years old an adult. He left of his own will and sony violated his privacy and gave out his information. What if this ADULT had been molested as a child or something from his parents and he left never wanting to see again. Or any number of things. For sony to give out private information about thier customers in this fashion is just wrong. Message Edited by sweetangel01 on 01-18-2007 04:29 PM

01-19-2007, 06:14 AM	#7
Foolsfolly Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 465	Exactly what I was thinking. This kid was probobly abused by his parents and left without telling anyone exactly because he did not want to be found. Then sony had to go and [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] up the whole deal by telling his parents exactly where he was. Way to go sony =/

01-19-2007, 07:16 AM	#10
KerowynnKaotic Tormentor of Fae Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Middle of Nowhere, Arizona Posts: 1,862	sweetangel01 wrote: snipped Ya know what is really going on don't you? ... The kid was really co-opted into some kind of "Anti-Everything" Cult that plays Online MMOs surfing the net for guliable kids just like Jacob Pribly. They got him to leave his home without telling his family anything by promising him free sex with "Hot Barely Legal" Gamer Babes! Now, that SOE got involved and actually tracked him down to his Original Location .. they had to move him to another "safe house". Where he will be forced to play Online MMOs till his eyes bleed and taunted daily that his [Removed for Content] isn't big enough for the only female gamer in the group. Oh and the 2 people complaining about SOE "invading" the privacy of a 20year old at the request of the Mother via indirect means during a Public Man Hunt for the kid .. .. yeah .. those are the co-leaders of the "Anti-Everything" Cult. --- Hey! If you are going to make up stuff .. should at least do something decently wacked out .. __________________

01-19-2007, 07:28 AM	#11
StargateFanGirl Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 83	Right... I very very seriously doubt this guy was being abused by his parents. You can debate the ethics of SOE having done what they did, but the guy was missing, he didn't tell anyone where he was going, and while yes he is a legal adult and can do what he likes, it's still irresponsible to not tell someone that you're leaving town or to atleast leave a note, you know 'cause people tend to worry when someone who normally doesn't do stuff like that just up and disappears... They had no idea what happened to their son, for all they knew he was abducted, or hurt in an accident or dead. SOE had the possible resources to help track this guy down since he was a MMO gamer and give reassurances to the family that he was alive and well and they did that. Also, SOE did not give out the information to just anyone, they gave the information to people who needed it the most. His very worried parents - who by the way, already know all his personal information, they just needed his location.

01-19-2007, 07:29 AM	#12
Seffrid Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 583	Let me say at the outset that as a British player I have no clue what the stuff about the attorney or "crazed gamers" is to do with, and the latter may have a major bearing on the case although the age of the missing person is also critical. Let me also say that I sympathise hugely with the parents in the case, not least as some years ago my adult sister was missing for several hours before the police recovered her body from a well-known suicide spot and so I do understand what they were going through. Nonetheless, I have to question SOE's action as reported, and here in Europe it would have been a pretty clear infringement of the adult son's human rights. Even the police in such circumstances if they find the son - being an adult - are only able to advise the family that he is alive and well unless he consents to more information being provided as to his whereabouts. That would apply unless the police were satisfied that he had been abducted by the "crazed gamers" - joining them by his free will however distorted would have prevented the police from reporting his location to the family. Let's hope it is a truly happy outcome in the long term. Doubtless Smed was involved in the decision making over SOE's involvement, and his blogs have given me the impression that he is above all else a devout family man who would display only the very best of intentions in such a case, so that too needs to be borne in mind. In that sense, qudos to SOE for helping to resolve a family tragedy. Message Edited by Seffrid on 01-18-2007 06:32 PM Message Edited by Seffrid on 01-18-2007 06:36 PM

01-19-2007, 08:10 AM	#13
-FirePuff- Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 8	If your husband went off somewhere and didn't notify any known family or friends, wouldn't you try to work with whatever resources possible to find him? What about your adult sister? While he is 20 years old and free to make his own decisions, there was still the possibility that he was in trouble. Now that the situation is resolved (that he's found and not dead), everyone can go back to doing whatever. Wherever he wants to go from here is his decision as an adult.

01-19-2007, 08:31 AM	#14
StargateFanGirl Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 83	The lawyer in question, Jack Thompson, is an anti-gaming lawyer, generally he goes around sueing gaming companies and bad mouthing gamers. He's probably the most hated person in the American gaming industry. In this case, the parents contacted Thompson for help in finding their son, and after he was found and with no one actually knowing just what exactly Thompson did to help, he congratulates himself on being instrumental in finding him and then insults gamers and the readers of GamePolitics.com. /Quote Thompson/ "We found the Pribyl boy. He is in Illinois holed up with crazed gamers. We found him because of my going public and good police work. Tell your sycophantic, panting audience that. /end quote/ Nice guy huh? And to clarify the "crazed gamers" thing, no, the people he was with aren't crazed, he calls all of us crazed.

01-19-2007, 10:41 AM	#15
Arthais Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 144	I want to point out one thing. If you read the report, take a look at WHO it was who made the call to gamepolitcs. Andy Zaffron, Senior Vice-president and General Counsel at Sony Online Entertainment. Note the part in bold, SOE's general counsel. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, let me explain. Basically Zaffron is SOE's chief attorney. The man isthe #1 lawyer for SOE, and I promise you, I am QUITE sure the man knows the law in this regard. So while some of you may have some ethical concerns, I'm pretty certain the man knows the law.

01-19-2007, 11:01 AM	#16
Arthais Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 144	regarding Thompson, since some may not be familiar, I reposted an old article I wrote about him about a year ago. If you're interested in what this guy's about, check here.

01-19-2007, 05:24 PM	#17
Melodar Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 209	Sad part is a 20 yr old person had his privacy violated and was tracked down via records. If this had been someone under 18 then this would have been acceptable but the fact the person was a legal adult shows blatent disreguard for people's privacy. I feel for you who have had a child go missing however if that child were 18 yrs old they can make their own decisions and having their privacy violated in this way is simply wrong. It doesn't matter if he had problems at home or if his parents were the greatest to ever walk to earth Sony violated his privacy period and their is absolutely no excuse for that. Shame on you Sony. __________________

01-19-2007, 05:47 PM	#18
Kendricke Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,032	Melodar wrote: I feel for you who have had a child go missing however if that child were 18 yrs old they can make their own decisions and having their privacy violated in this way is simply wrong. It doesn't matter if he had problems at home or if his parents were the greatest to ever walk to earth Sony violated his privacy period and their is absolutely no excuse for that. Shame on you Sony. Ironically, the only reason they found him is because he violated the EULA/NDA for the Vanguard Beta in the first place. So tell me again about privacy rights? __________________ * -Opinions expressed in this post do not represent any current or past employers.

01-19-2007, 06:35 PM	#19
SenorPhrog Ten Ton Hammer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Fourth Wall Posts: 1,041	I only glanced at this when I was reading Coyote's blog this morning and well...Coyote focused more on what the kid was doing than what they were playing. Was this an EverQuest 2 account they utilized? edit: Going to Gamepolitics and reading the whole story answered my question. Message Edited by Radar-X on 01-19-2007 08:37 AM __________________

01-19-2007, 07:13 PM	#20
GPA_Coyote ChernobylKitten Join Date: May 2005 Location: Arkham Asylum Posts: 289	Jack Thompson is a scumbag. Gaming and MMO's had NOTHING to do with this kid disappearing. Nasty freaky geek sex? Everything to do with it. Poor kid gets his cherry busted and its front page news...how embarrassing. Someone should sue Thompson. Message Edited by GPA_Coyote on 01-19-2007 10:13 PM

01-19-2007, 07:38 PM	#21
sweetangel01 Augur Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8	"I have had a child go missing and seemingly drop off the face of the earth. Granted, it was only for a week, but that week is 7 eternities. You have no clue if your child is getting into something they shouldn't be, hurt or, heaven forbid, dead. You don't exhaust any means to try to find them, and even the thinnest shred of information helps to maintain a glimmer of hope. And as far as I'm concerned, age has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. " I am one of those persons who left her parents. I have horrid parents. I made allot money from my business and then they tried harassing and doing anything they could to hurt me. I have poofed where they cannot find me. I am an adult and can do as I wish. I would hate to have had sony violate my rights in this manner. Message Edited by sweetangel01 on 01-19-2007 06:38 AM

01-19-2007, 07:44 PM	#22
GPA_Coyote ChernobylKitten Join Date: May 2005 Location: Arkham Asylum Posts: 289	sweetangel01 wrote: "I have had a child go missing and seemingly drop off the face of the earth. Granted, it was only for a week, but that week is 7 eternities. You have no clue if your child is getting into something they shouldn't be, hurt or, heaven forbid, dead. You don't exhaust any means to try to find them, and even the thinnest shred of information helps to maintain a glimmer of hope. And as far as I'm concerned, age has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. " I am one of those persons who left her parents. I have horrid parents. I made allot money from my business and then they tried harassing and doing anything they could to hurt me. I have poofed where they cannot find me. I am an adult and can do as I wish. I would hate to have had sony violate my rights in this manner. Message Edited by sweetangel01 on 01-19-2007 06:38 AM I disagree that Pribyls "rights" were violated. You left obviously on bad terms with your parents. I'm sure there was a fight, slamming of doors and things to escalate your leaving. This dude didn't show up to dinner - BIG difference.

01-19-2007, 07:50 PM	#23
silvername Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 145	Goos point coyote. big diffrence. leaving when someone knows you are, but not letting them know where is one thing. it is another to dissaper with out telling anyone. then everyone assumes you where taken or dead. GOOD WORK SONY. YOU GUYS ROCK. __________________

01-19-2007, 08:10 PM	#24
sweetangel01 Augur Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8	"I disagree that Pribyls "rights" were violated. You left obviously on bad terms with your parents. I'm sure there was a fight, slamming of doors and things to escalate your leaving. This dude didn't show up to dinner - BIG difference." You are right that is a big diffrence, but who gets to be the person to say whos rights get to be violated per what issue. We dont know what really happened behind the closed doors of this family. There could have been slammed doors or any number of things. Thats why respecting someone rights needs to be a something steady, not a pick and choose type thing.

01-19-2007, 08:13 PM	#25
GPA_Coyote ChernobylKitten Join Date: May 2005 Location: Arkham Asylum Posts: 289	sweetangel01 wrote: "I disagree that Pribyls "rights" were violated. You left obviously on bad terms with your parents. I'm sure there was a fight, slamming of doors and things to escalate your leaving. This dude didn't show up to dinner - BIG difference." You are right that is a big diffrence, but who gets to be the person to say whos rights get to be violated per what issue. We dont know what really happened behind the closed doors of this family. There could have been slammed doors or any number of things. Thats why respecting someone rights needs to be a something steady, not a pick and choose type thing. You are trying to argue between disrespect and alarm. From everything I've read on this, the kid had a good family life - his parents were driving him around and there were no precursers to this event. It was alarm. Not disrespect. If my best friend who is in his thirties disappears for a week? Doesn't show up to work, no one hears from him and he just disappears? I'm calling the cops - not out of disrespect, but out of alarm. If you were to follow your own advice - there would never be a "missing persons" case open, because you are just "respecting" the persons right to vanish without a trace.

01-19-2007, 08:14 PM	#26
Kiara- Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Neriak, baby! Posts: 595	So what about the kid (say 20ish) in college or whatever who just disappears one day? They don't say anything to anyone. They're an adult. Can their parents not be worried and try to find them if for no other reason than to know they're alive? Sony did a good thing. The guy's parents know he's alive. __________________

01-19-2007, 08:20 PM	#27
sweetangel01 Augur Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8	What should have happened is if sony wanted to be the good guys, they should have contacted and asked if he wanted to have his information given out. Also the police on a missing persons also contact the missing person when found first not the person who filed it. If that person says they dont want that information given the case is closed and the person whom filed is told they where found and nothing else. "If you were to follow your own advice - there would never be a "missing persons" case open, because you are just "respecting" the persons right to vanish without a trace." I was not saying that at all. I am saying there is steps to be taken to protect the persons rights. These steps are already taken by police in a missing persons case if they are of age. Message Edited by sweetangel01 on 01-19-2007 07:24 AM

01-19-2007, 08:28 PM	#28
Kiara- Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Neriak, baby! Posts: 595	I doubt that they just called up the kid's parents and said hey, here ya go!! Their legal counsel dealt with the police on the matter. You're assuming that they just handed out his info, just as I am assuming they followed the appropriate procedure. __________________

01-19-2007, 08:38 PM	#29
Kendricke Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,032	sweetangel01 wrote: You are right that is a big diffrence, but who gets to be the person to say whos rights get to be violated per what issue. Well, as I stated, the only reason SOE could find Jacob in the first place was because he violated the terms of his Vanguard NDA. So, before we come rushing to poor ole' Jacob's defense too quickly, remember that he's the one who started down the path of violating "rights". Secondly, these aren't even "rights" we're talking about. Read your EULA sometime. SOE’s posted privacy policy provides, among other things, that they “may also disclose any of your personal information to . . . other appropriate third parties . . . as we deem necessary in our sole discretion . . . .” Apparantly it would seem that in this case, Mr. Zaffron (SOE's top legal counsel) determined per SOE's "sole discretion" (read: they don't need your permission, or anyone else's actualy) that this was an "appropriate third party". I applaud him for having the presence of mind to contact Andy's parents and to spend time out of his day (do you have any idea how much a senior counsel, much less a corporate V.P.'s time is worth?) to track down anyone who might be able to assist in finding their son. SOE does enough things to get hassled over. This isn't one of them. EDIT ADDENDUM: Here was Andy's response to the story, as listed in the comment section: Andrew S. Zaffron Says: January 18th, 2007 at 3:39 pm On behalf of Sony Online Entertainment, I’d like to thank Dennis and gamepolitics.com for the “heads up” on this matter (given the purely local reach of the television interview, we’d have never known of the parents’ concern without gamepolitics.com), and applaud him for all the time and effort he puts into this site. I just knew that, somehow and/or somewhere, I’d see or hear a comment like that posted by “Jay” above. I have three responses: (1) We’re people first: corporate formality concerns are somewhere below that on the list; (2) Seasoned and sound decision-making is using judgment (taking into account various relevant factors), to make a mature and hopefully correct decision; and (3) We take privacy concerns very seriously; 99% of the time, I require a subpoena before divulging any customer information to any person or entity. However, SOE’s posted privacy policy provides, among other things, that “We may also disclose any of your personal information to . . . other appropriate third parties . . . as we deem necessary in our sole discretion . . . .” Considering all of the circumstances here, and as human beings, we deemed it necessary. Andy Message Edited by Kendricke on 01-19-2007 07:53 AM __________________ * -Opinions expressed in this post do not represent any current or past employers.

01-19-2007, 08:46 PM	#30
sweetangel01 Augur Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8	well quess I cant argue with the way Sony wrote thier policy =) all I can do is put nothing but fake information on my account now. thanks for the post on what he wrote by the way I was looking for that =)