Twitter assaults and death threats drive game developer and husband out of home

ARLINGTON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A video game developer from Arlington left her home for a short time with her husband after being threatened on Twitter.

Brianna Wu, head of development for a game publisher, assumes the threats are connected to her internet activism for women in the tech industry, Boston.com reported. The person behind the threats went as far creating a Twitter account named "Death to Brianna." The profile description for the account referenced killing "Wu and her husband Frank." Vulgar tweets from that page say Wu will be raped and they repeatedly threaten her life.

Wu told Arlington police that she felt harassed daily, but that the messages received Friday caused her to worry for her safety. In a Facebook message, she reported to Boston.com that she and her husband left their home because they were so concerned.

Wu has even had her personal information, including her home address, posted on online forums as retaliation for her efforts to involve more women in the tech industry.

She is not the only developer to deal with threats. In August another game developer, Zoe Quinn, and feminist theorist Anita Sarkeesian were targeted and harassed so badly that they were forced into hiding.

According to Boston.com, Wu's threats come at the same time as the "GamerGate" movement, a group of video game fans online who may or may not be concerned about the gaming industry and relevant media.

Cox Media Group