Fact Check: "AV-8B Harrier manual shared on War Thunder is legally restricted, not classified."
What We Know
Recently, a player on the online military simulator War Thunder was banned for sharing a page from a flight manual for the AV-8B Harrier. This manual is marked with a "Distribution Statement C," indicating that it is not approved for public release and is restricted to authorized U.S. government personnel and contractors (UK Defence Journal). The incident is part of a broader trend where players have shared classified or export-controlled materials in an attempt to enhance the game's realism (Economic Times).
The community manager of War Thunder confirmed that the document violated forum rules and was removed immediately. The developer, Gaijin Entertainment, has a strict policy against using classified or restricted documents, emphasizing that they rely solely on publicly available sources for game development (UK Defence Journal).
Analysis
The claim that the AV-8B Harrier manual is "legally restricted, not classified" is nuanced. While the manual is indeed marked with "Distribution Statement C," which restricts its distribution, it is not classified in the traditional sense (i.e., not labeled as "Top Secret" or "Confidential"). This distinction is important as it highlights that while the document is not classified, it is still legally protected under U.S. export control laws, such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (UK Defence Journal).
Critics of the restriction argue that such manuals are often available through unofficial channels and question the seriousness of the restriction (UK Defence Journal). However, the legal implications remain intact; sharing such documents can lead to legal consequences regardless of their availability online. The community manager's statement reinforces that the game's policies are designed to comply with these legal standards, and any breach is taken seriously (Economic Times).
The sources consulted are credible, with the UK Defence Journal and Economic Times being reputable publications that cover defense and international news. They provide a clear understanding of the legal framework surrounding the document in question.
Conclusion
The claim that the AV-8B Harrier manual shared on War Thunder is "legally restricted, not classified" is Partially True. While it is accurate that the manual is not classified in the traditional sense, it is still legally restricted and cannot be shared publicly. This distinction is crucial, as it underscores the legal obligations that platforms like War Thunder must adhere to, despite the document's availability in unofficial circles.
Sources
- 微克成人網,成人網站,免費AV,免費A片,a免費影片,免費 ... (http://www.viko18.com/)
- Restricted data once again leaked on War Thunder forums (https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/classified-data-once-again-leaked-on-war-thunder-forums/#:~:text=Some%20players%20are%20claiming%20the,it%20is%20still%20legally%20restricted.)
- 城市论坛 - 天府社区 (https://bbs.scol.com.cn/forum-41-1.html)
- War Thunder forums hit again as players leak classified ... (https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/uk/war-thunder-forums-hit-again-as-players-leak-classified-military-data-in-another-online-mishap/articleshow/122033460.cms)
- [分享]提高照片画质12招——新手必看 - 大漠孤烟CD的 ... (https://bbs.scol.com.cn/blog-543487-28361.html)
- 天府摄影 - 天府社区 (https://bbs.scol.com.cn/forum-2526-1.html)
- List of Classified Document Leaks - War Thunder (https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?l=polish&id=2924096000)
- 天府摄影 - 第4页 - 天府社区 (https://bbs.scol.com.cn/forum-2526-4.html)
