Mail-Bomb Attack Targets Northeastern University VR Lab
Law enforcement is investigating an alleged mail-bomb attack towards the Northeastern University's VR department (Boston). A 45-year-old mailroom employee was caught in an explosion late Tuesday evening after opening a parcel containing a hard plastic case, leading the improvised explosive device to activate. Luckily, the employee survived the attack with only lacerations on his hands.
A low-tech way of delivering explosive payloads, mail bombing in the US rose to prominence through the actions of the Unabomber. Now, it seems that this delivery method is once again being weaponized for political purposes, as the package carried with a note (described as "rambling") that criticized Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the relationship between university VR research and private interests. Northeastern University hosts several VR-oriented facilities, including an Immersive Media Labs Suite that "includes technologies for design, development, and exploration of virtual worlds, AR/VR/XR, and 360 video." It remains to be seen if this is a lone event or if it's a part of a more elaborate strategy of preventing change through fear.
A low-tech way of delivering explosive payloads, mail bombing in the US rose to prominence through the actions of the Unabomber. Now, it seems that this delivery method is once again being weaponized for political purposes, as the package carried with a note (described as "rambling") that criticized Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the relationship between university VR research and private interests. Northeastern University hosts several VR-oriented facilities, including an Immersive Media Labs Suite that "includes technologies for design, development, and exploration of virtual worlds, AR/VR/XR, and 360 video." It remains to be seen if this is a lone event or if it's a part of a more elaborate strategy of preventing change through fear.
