Gamer Gets Banned for Sharing Restricted US Jet Manual

(MENAFN) A player of the military simulation game War Thunder has been barred from the game's online discussion boards after uploading a page from a limited-access US fighter jet guide, according to a report by the UK Defence Journal.

War Thunder, created by Gaijin Entertainment, is widely recognized for its meticulous depictions of weaponry and combat vehicles.

The game has garnered a devoted audience of military fans, including both current and retired military personnel, who often analyze how closely the in-game machinery matches real-life equipment.

As noted by the UK Defence Journal on Monday, this event marks at least the ninth time a user has posted confidential or restricted documents in an effort to strengthen an in-game debate.

In this most recent incident, the shared content was from the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) guide for AV-8B and TAV-8B Harrier aircraft, which are operated by both the US Navy and the Marine Corps.

While the manual wasn't marked as "classified," it carried the label "Distribution Statement C," indicating it is only to be shared with US government bodies and approved defense industry partners.

Some participants on the forum believe that if such information can be found online, its sharing should not be prohibited.

They argue that official bodies often over-classify older files that may no longer pose any genuine security risk.

Nonetheless, Gaijin Entertainment upholds a firm rule against the posting of any restricted or protected data on its platforms.

The company insists that all of its in-game models are designed using resources that are lawfully accessible to the public.

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