Final Fantasy 14 is facing a critical issue with its recent changes aimed at combatting stalking. NotNite, a modder known for taking a strong stance against malicious plugins, has pointed out major flaws in the game’s new blacklist system that inadvertently expose sensitive account information. As reported by NotNite, the updated system broadcasts account IDs, which can be scraped by malicious software, leading to potential harassment of users.

Square Enix had previously pledged to enhance protections against stalking within the game, but recent updates have sparked confusion and concern. Following a coding error, many players have expressed unease over how easily their data can be compromised.

In a blog post, NotNite emphasized the need for Square Enix to re-evaluate its approach to data security and hire experts in cybersecurity to resolve these vulnerabilities.

“I can’t really say what they were thinking,” NotNite remarked regarding the oversight in addressing account ID obfuscation. “They might not have realized it was reversible at all, and they probably want to avoid rewriting the system entirely, because it would take up a lot of development time that they want to allocate to making the game instead.”

As concerns mount, players are left hoping for a swift resolution that genuinely prioritizes their safety in this long-standing MMORPG.