U.K. Goverment Spies Accused of Recording Yahoo Webcam Chats

LONDON — Yahoo believes the U.K. spy agency GCHQ may have interceped and stored millions of users’ webcam images — many sexual in nature — from its chat platform.

Examining reports from notorious whistleblower Edward Snowden, the Guardian published claims that GCHQ worked with America’s National Security Agency (NSA) to accrue Yahoo webcam chats in bulk.

“We were not aware of, nor would we condone, this reported activity,” a Yahoo spokesperson announced in response to the news. “This report, if true, represents a whole new level of violation of our users’ privacy that is completely unacceptable and we strongly call on the world’s governments to reform surveillance law consistent with the principles we outlined in December.”

The operation, codenamed Optic Nerve, ran between 2008 and 2010 and collected images of individuals, whether or not they were suspected of questionable activity.

According to Snowden’s document, 3 to 11 percent of the Yahoo images collected contained “undesirable nudity.”  

“Unfortunately ... it would appear that a surprising number of people use webcam conversations to show intimate parts of their body to the other person,” Snowden said.

“Also, the fact that the Yahoo software allows more than one person to view a webcam stream without necessarily sending a reciprocal stream means that it appears sometimes to be used for broadcasting pornography,” he added.

GCHQ did not collect the webcam chats wholesale, but rather saved one image per five minutes, topping surveilance of 1.8 million users’ accounts in one six month period alone, reports say.  

The agency claims that it was using the collected data to use in automated facial recognition experiments, monitor suspicious individuals and to discover new people to target. It has not issued a response to the Guardian's accusations.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Avery Lust Stars in Latest From TransAngels

Avery Lust stars with Summer Col and Pierce Paris in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Overworked and Underfucked.”

Trump Administration Issues Executive Order Against 'Debanking'

The White House on Thursday issued an executive order limiting financial institutions’ ability to restrict access to financial services for people or groups involved in lawful industries, a longtime goal of adult industry advocates and stakeholders.

Millie Morgan Stars in Latest From MILFY

Millie Morgan stars with Hollywood Cash and Sheem in the latest release from Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint MILFY, titled “Hot Blonde MILF Gets Tag-Teamed.”

Go.cam Launches Free Age Verification Solution, Anti-Fraud Features

Go.cam has announced that its age verification solution is now free with updated anti-fraud and identity protection features.

Mick Blue Dishes on Role in BET Plus Crime Flick 'Dutch III'

Decorated performer Mick Blue has stepped outside of the adult industry to appear in "Dutch III: International Gangster," a new mainstream crime movie currently streaming on BET Plus.

Blake Blossom, Millie Morgan Topline 'Massage Seductions 4' From Sweetheart Video

Blake Blossom and Millie Morgan headline the fourth volume of “Massage Seductions” from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweetheart Video.

Elegant Angel Rolls Out 'Performers of the Year 2025'

Elegant Angel has kicked off its annual "Performers of the Year" campaign with weekly double penetration scene releases as part of "DP Tuesdays."

Adult Time's 'How Women Orgasm' Series Spotlights Sarah Arabic

Sarah Arabic is spotlighted in the latest installment of "How Women Orgasm," from Adult Time studio banner Up Close.

Florida AG Sues EU-Based Adult Companies for Failing to Age-Verify Users

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida against five EU-based adult companies for allegedly failing to require age verification before allowing access to adult content.

SkyPrivate Launches 'Telegram Pay-Per-Minute' Feature

SkyPrivate has launched a new pay-per-minute (PPM) private show option on Telegram.

Show More