THE REAL REASON THE NSA ONCE BANNED FURBIES

The late ’90s were a magical time. Prosperity abounded, the cast of Friends could still, with astonishing regularity, be found in the same room together, and the Spice World turned ever closer to a bright and promising new Willenium. But all was not well in America, and the astute observer of history will note that there was a dire threat lurking just over the horizon. Luckily, as the BBC pointed out at the time, the United States National Security Agency was on top of it, and in January 1999, they made their move, officially banning Furbies from NSA property.

It’s true. For a hot minute, the NSA headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland was considered a no-fly zone for the hot Christmas purchase of 1998. The reason, surprisingly, had nothing to do with those lifeless black eyes, like a doll’s eyes, or the way that when they come at you, they don’t seem to be livin’ until they bite you and those black eyes roll over white, and then… read more >