Posted on 03/27/2018 2:54:21 PM PDT by dayglored
Microsoft will ban 'offensive language' and 'inappropriate content' from Skype, Xbox, Office and other services on May 1, claiming it has the right to go through your private data to 'investigate.'
Better watch out if you are playing Xbox, get ticked, and cuss. Microsoft might ban you for the “offensive language.” If they do, then say bye-bye to your Xbox Gold Membership and any Microsoft account balances.
Or if you and a significant other are getting hot and heavy via Skype, you better watch your language and any nudity because that, too, can get you banned. The ban hammer could also fall if Cortana is listening at the wrong moment or if documents and files hosted on Microsoft services violate Microsoft’s amended terms.
The changes are part of the new Microsoft Terms of Services agreement that go into effect on May 1 and cover a plethora of Microsoft services.
Civil rights activist and law student Jonathan Corbett took the time to read the new terms and sounded the alarm.
Microsoft provided a summary of the changes; number 5 reads:
In the Code of Conduct section, we’ve clarified that use of offensive language and fraudulent activity is prohibited. We’ve also clarified that violation of the Code of Conduct through Xbox Services may result in suspensions or bans from participation in Xbox Services, including forfeiture of content licenses, Xbox Gold Membership time, and Microsoft account balances associated with the account.
Offensive language is fairly vague. Offensive to whom? What my granny might find offensive and what I might find offensive could be vastly different. But how would Microsoft even know if you had truly been “offensive”? Well, that part falls under Code of Conduct Enforcement, which states, “When investigating alleged violations of these Terms, Microsoft reserves the right to review Your Content in order to resolve the issue.”
Microsoft did add, “However, we cannot monitor the entire Services and make no attempt to do so.”
I’m not sure that will make you feel better, as another portion states that Microsoft “may also block delivery of a communication (like email, file sharing or instant message) to or from the Services in an effort to enforce these Terms or we may remove or refuse to publish Your Content for any reason.”
Corbett also pointed out a portion of text found in Microsoft’s new agreement:
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).
Corbett then wrote:
So wait a sec: I can’t use Skype to have an adult video call with my girlfriend? I can’t use OneDrive to back up a document that says “f*ck” in it? If I call someone a mean name in Xbox Live, not only will they cancel my account, but also confiscate any funds I’ve deposited in my account? (And are we no longer allowed to shoot people in Call of Duty? Animated violence doesn’t really get any more “graphic” than this Microsoft-approved video game offers.)
Some folks believe the changes in Microsoft’s terms may be related to Congress passing the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA), which was combined with the Stop Enabling Sex-Trafficking Act (SESTA). FOSTA/SESTA would hold platforms responsible for users’ speech, illegally shared content, and anything that might be construed as trafficking. It has been called “the death of the open internet.”
The Department of Justice warned that the bill “raises a serious constitutional concern,” as it “shall apply regardless of whether the conduct alleged occurred [sic], or is alleged to have occurred, before, on, or after such date of enactment.” In short, since it applies retroactively, it applies to trafficking that took place before the law passed — which the DoJ believes violates the Constitution’s Ex Post Facto Clause.
When the Senate passed the bill, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) called it a “dark day for the Internet” because it is “a bill that silences online speech by forcing Internet platforms to censor their users.” FOSTA/SESTA is “the worst of both worlds.” The EFF added, “When the Department of Justice is the group urging Congress not to expand criminal law and Congress does it anyway, something is very wrong.”
Already, Craigslist shuttered its “personals” section, and Reddit banned numerous subreddits. Craigslist explained, “Any tool or service can be misused. We can’t take such risk without jeopardizing all our other services, so we are regretfully taking Craigslist personals offline. Hopefully we can bring them back some day.”
When FOSTA/SESTA passed the House, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) — a critic of the bill — warned, “This bill will only prop up the entrenched players who are rapidly losing the public’s trust. The failure to understand the technological side effects of this bill — specifically that it will become harder to expose sex-traffickers, while hamstringing innovation — will be something that this congress will regret.”
Yeah, the PC and SWJ Gestapo has entered the building.....
I would bet the ranch that they will not ban anyone for smearing Republicans, conservatives, or Christians.
XBox
How about XXBox
or (EEK)
XXXBox
Would Microsoft be violating HIPAA provisions?
= = =
Oh, I do love your logic.
yeah...does Msoft allow RAP videos? How about YouTube? This will get VERY interesting...
The wild west freedom era of the internet is over. We are now entering the era of fascism online. Private companies and government will work hand in hand to suppress any thinking that does not follow the globalist/atheist/perverted line.
Our grandchildren will have no concept of information flows where the content is not heavily controlled.
“If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever.” - George Orwell
Which is one reason I collect antique non-fiction and educational books
Gizmodo has an article on it, and they make it seem a whole lot about nothing:
You should know that it’s probably not as extreme as Corbett fears. We’ve asked Microsoft for clarification on how decisions will be made for what constitutes a violation of its terms but did not receive an immediate reply.In its summary of changes, Microsoft writes: “In the Code of Conduct section, we’ve clarified that use of offensive language and fraudulent activity is prohibited.” All the stuff about nudity, graphic violence, bestiality and whatnot has been part of the service for quite some time, according to a Wayback Machine search. In fact, the XBox Code of Conduct has also previously prohibited “profane words or phrases.”
Then again, in the replies, Jon Corbett, quoted in your post, wrote:
You should know that it’s probably not as extreme as Corbett fears. We’ve asked Microsoft for clarification...Jon Corbett here.
I find it fascinating how some people look to Microsoft for “clarification” on their contractual terms. It should be crystal clear after Facebook was recently caught secretly uploading your call and SMS history that companies will use their contractual rights to the greatest extent possible. I personally could not care less how a public relations department spins this contract: It unambiguously allows Microsoft to troll through every Skype call, every Office 365 document, and every photo backed up to OneDrive, to look for anything “offensive.”
I appreciate your coverage of this story, but your downplaying of the implications is dangerous. I’m sure you’ll disagree, but I’ll see you in a year or two when you’re writing the story about Microsoft getting caught using these terms to bar political speech, to spy on an employee’s ex, or to otherwise invade the privacy and integrity of our private communications.
I urge you to stop looking for the best intentions when there’s not a reason in the world to assume the same from America’s large tech companies.
—Jon
Frankly, the whole thing is disturbing to me. The other replies on the Gizmodo article has tons of Leftists whooping it up as they think this will only apply to Trump supporters--what knuckleheads!
If one still voluntarily does business with Microsoft, Google, Twitter, or Facebook, after all that is known of the evil they do, one deserves the consequences.
“Blue Screen of Death!”
there, I said it!
THAT’S offensive, but it looks like I’m still logged in..
Let’s post some David Hoggwash youtube videos on their services - that’ll blow a gasket of conflict for them...
Microsoft will ban ‘offensive language’....
<<<<<
I suspect that our definitions of offensive language differ. Whereas, I would point to the traditional 4-letter words, they would most likely take out words like “Trump”, “MAGA”, “USA”, etc.
Exactly.
Hey Gates? What is offensive?
Let me help you and those morons in Redmond...
Bill Gates and the blue screen of death sucks donkey dicks?
Or how about, Redmond is filled with democrat liberal progressive marxists assholes.
Does that qualify?
5.56mm
The most offensive word I can think of is “Windows”.
Will you still be able to teabag someone in an xbox game? Non verbal triumphant communication.
Read the agreement and I am still confused as to consequences.
If I use BING to search for “Show me Stormy Daniels boobs” will Bing be taken away from me ?
or will I be whisked away into the cornfield or...will i have to install Linux ?
How does auto correct come into play ? Prove it isn’t.
Will Office automatically be un-installed ? and I’ll have to again use a free office suite ?
F-Microsoft.
Oops now I’ve gone and done it.
You are going to be punished for saying those words....
Bill Gates is going to put you over his knee.
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