The FBI confirmed in a document published Thursday it has opened up the possibility of investigating the gaming and journalism debate known as “Gamergate,” which has spawned a slew of online threats against female gamers, developers and journalists in recent months.
Muckrock — an online news and public records website — reported Thursday that a Freedom of Information Act request submitted to the bureau for any documents referencing Gamergate was refused because the documents relate to an active or future investigation.
“The records responsive to your request are law enforcement records; there is a pending or prospective law enforcement proceeding relevant to these responsive records, and release of the information in these responsive records could reasonably be expected to interfere with law enforcement proceedings,” the FBI said in a response to the website’s request.
Numerous women including game developers Zoe Quinn, Brianna Wu and media critic Anita Sarkeesian have been the targets of online harassment and threats of violence since the debate began earlier this summer.
The agency declined to elaborate on any specific details about the investigation. (RELATED: Watch Stephen Colbert Explain Gamergate)