Microsoft bans use of "offensive language" on Xbox Live, Skype, and other services

[midian182]

If you’re not averse to being a bit sweary on Skype, Xbox Live, or other Microsoft products, be careful: the Redmond firm has updated its service agreement, prohibiting the use of “offensive language” and fraudulent activity.

Anyone found violating the rules, which go into effect on May 1, may be suspended or banned from Xbox services. Offenders also risk forfeiting their account balances, any content licenses they may own, and their Xbox Gold Membership.

Microsoft also says that it may trawl through your accounts if it suspects you’ve been violating its Terms and Conditions. "When investigating alleged violations of these Terms, Microsoft reserves the right to review Your Content in order to resolve the issue," it writes.

As discussed in this Reddit post, Microsoft has always had this policy in place, but the company is now clarifying it. “In the Code of Conduct section, we’ve clarified that use of offensive language and fraudulent activity is prohibited,” reads one section in the summary of changes.

“Don’t publicly display or use the Services to share inappropriate content or material (involving, for example, nudity, bestiality, pornography, offensive language, graphic violence, or criminal activity).”

With this policy, Microsoft is targeting the toxic players who populate Xbox Live while harassing others—Xbox is one of the 30+ companies to have joined the recently formed Fair Play Alliance. But the Windows maker hasn’t specified what langue it considers “offensive,” and if this might affect Skype communications between friends (will it apply to video calls?), or OneDrive documents that contain swearing.

Ultimately, Microsoft’s policy is designed to prevent illegal activities, child exploitation, spam, and fraud on its services. It likely hopes that clarifying the offensive language section will encourage certain members of the Xbox gaming communities to tone down the hatred. The firm is unlikely to be monitoring every Skype call for the odd swear and will probably rely on users flagging anything they consider offensive.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/73889-microsoft-bans-use-offensive-language-xbox-live-skype.html

 

[Bubbajim]

**** that.

 

[Impudicus]

What about games that have inappropriate content that would fall under these terms? Imagine playing GTA V online and getting banned for language.

 

[davislane1]

But the Windows maker hasn’t specified what langue it considers “offensive,” and if this might affect Skype communications between friends

That’s how you play Orwellian poker. Concrete definitions are for suckers and people who lack progressive ambition.

Ultimately, Microsoft’s policy is designed to prevent illegal activities, child exploitation, spam, and fraud on its services.

And Facebook’s data collection practices are ultimately designed to improve the platform and aid in the apprehension of criminal users.

The spade is a spade, folks. Stop trying to pretend it’s a duck.

 

[stewi0001]

Interesting how it went from Trolls to Toxic.

 

[seeprime]

Offensive language and fraudulent activity are completely unrelated. This seems like a really stupid policy. It should be limited to fraudulent activity, as that's a real problem. Someone calling me the equivalent of a poo-poo head is just fine by me, since they're all ^@ffi7tav3's anyway.

 

[Uncle Al]

The morality police are alive and well .....

 

[Nobina]

Next thing Microsoft is banning offensive language in Windows. Can't type "****" in notepad or you get locked out from your operating system. Might want to focus on making your **** services better.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

I predict that, if they actually bother to enforce this garbage, there will be a dramatic drop in xbox live memberships, and a subsequent rise in PlayStation subscriptions. And most gamers have been abandoning skype for the more capable discord anyway.

Remember kids: Dont listen to SJWs. They will ruin whatever your product or company is in the name of "fighting toxicity" or "promoting progressive ideas". If they are whining that the mute button isnt enough, those people are more trouble then they are worth.

Next thing Microsoft is banning offensive language in Windows. Can't type "****" in notepad or you get locked out from your operating system. Might want to focus on making your **** services better.

Year of the linux desktop when?

This did cross my mind, if MS starts banning people from their microsoft account, arn't windows 10 licenses managed through that account if you buy them online? Could MS potentially ban you from your own OS if they wants?

As bubba said, **** that.

 

[Capaill]

I'm going to assume offensive language is anything that is blatantly racist or cruel and that you would have to be reported before you are banned. Because plenty of people use racist or bad language among friends and nobody gets insulted or hurt by it. If MS put an AI in charge of banning people for using curse words, then Ireland and Scotland are going to need an alternative to Skype awfully quickly.

 

[Prosercunus]

These corporations are just racing as fast as possible to make people seek our alternatives. Good for up and comers.

 

[Prosercunus]

Interesting how it went from Trolls to Toxic.

This is exactly what happens when you want a more diverse workplace and can't find enough qualified female engineers out there so you have to put them in some sort of position even if that means just creating a position.

 

[wiyosaya]

This did cross my mind, if MS starts banning people from their microsoft account, arn't windows 10 licenses managed through that account if you buy them online? Could MS potentially ban you from your own OS if they wants?

As bubba said, **** that.

A M$ account is not needed to install or use 10. You can just ignore that part.

 

[captaincranky]

This thread needs a "comedy time out". Herewith MTV presents, "The 20 Best F-Bombs in PG-13 Movies":

http://www.mtv.com/news/2816236/f-bombs-pg-13-movies/

 

[captaincranky]

The morality police are alive and well .....

Is that like the "KGB" changing their name to the, "FSB"?

Because I thought that well, "the Thought Police", were still, "the Thought Police". <(I'm trying to make my mind a blank, so they don't come after me).

 

[captaincranky]

...[ ]....The spade is a spade, folks. Stop trying to pretend it’s a duck.

This just gave me a brilliant idea for a new condom design...............er, and you misspelled "duck".

 

[oldikes]

https://twitter.com/XboxQwik/status/978699945250242560

The TOS changes were only made for clarification -

Regardless of what you think of the policy, its the same policy they've had...they dont ban people for language as far as ive seen, only for abuse of other players using it.

 

[Boilerhog146]

Next there will be only touch football in the CFL/NFL. and no contact in the NHL. everybody be nice now or you will get banned from life. there will be a machine spitting out tickets for violations ,everywhere.no more toxicity in movies. and on and on.

 

[cliffordcooley]

I have plenty of offensive language while using (or trying to at times) Windows 10. I wonder if they will ban me from Windows 10?

 

[captaincranky]

I have plenty of offensive language while using (or trying to at times) Windows 10. I wonder if they will ban me from Windows 10?

Which is why I still use XP on a couple of machines!

The only issue it has, (at least for me), is refusing to move or delete a folder, claiming, "another program is using it".

This barely draws an "aw sh!t" from me any more, since I know I'll be able to get rid of it on a restart.

 

[Puiu]

I have plenty of offensive language while using (or trying to at times) Windows 10. I wonder if they will ban me from Windows 10?

Which is why I still use XP on a couple of machines!

The only issue it has, (at least for me), is refusing to move or delete a folder, claiming, "another program is using it".

This barely draws an "aw sh!t" from me any more, since I know I'll be able to get rid of it on a restart.

Yeah, I also hated that bug

 

[Nunsuch]

I suspect that the policy change is more about Skype being used by a *lot* of adult models for private cam shows, than about kiddies cursing... it weirdly coincides with Google Drive locking out users with any pornographic or adult content in their accounts.

(Now that we finally have the tech that can peer into both the photos and videos and decide if anything naughty is going on in there (Google, Microsoft and Amazon also offer it as a user policing API), on top of written and audio keyword detection, USA simply tripped over itself from speed with which it rolled back free speech... We meet Big Brother, and he's carrying a Bible.)

 

[slamscaper]

What a fiasco. I understand they need to combat the trolls, but punishing EVERYONE to do this? They aren't thinking strait.

And as far as the "is video calling on Skype affected?" That answer better be a RESOUNDING NO, otherwise it proves they are listening to our conversations. IDC how you slice it, because that is illegal. No matter what type of algorithm you're using, it's illegal period. I for one will totally stop using Skype and rally others to every chance I get if they go this route.

 

[Robertrogue]

I'm going to assume offensive language is anything that is blatantly racist or cruel and that you would have to be reported before you are banned. Because plenty of people use racist or bad language among friends and nobody gets insulted or hurt by it. If MS put an AI in charge of banning people for using curse words, then Ireland and Scotland are going to need an alternative to Skype awfully quickly.

I have gotten temporarily banned for getting aggravated at a teammate for screwing up and I said he was a "loser" playing online multiplayer. The person complained I was being harassing and "toxic". They said I was on the list for permanent banning if I was reported again. Really? for calling someone a loser? Maybe I should have said "nutbag" or "*****" or even "***********" maybe then it would make sense. Sorry, swearing and calling people names during gameplay is part of the game. We did this in sports and while even playing real poker. Too many people getting offended by things nowadays! Grow up and stop playing games, oh wait, grow up and be a man, oh wait, "be nice and let everyone win".......hence the problem with society today.

 

[psycros]

At this rate the darknet is going to become mainstream.