How not to get banned or suspended from XBox live and other info.

Almost every day I see a new post from someone complaining that they got banned or suspended unfairly or for reasons that weren’t their fault.

Let’s go over some of the most common reasons, but first a couple of pertinent bits of information:

The Xbox Terms of Use:

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/Legal/codeofconduct

Here’s the key part concerning Xbox Live:

• Don’t create, share, use, or promote prohibited Content.
• Don’t engage in illegal activity. For example, don't:
  • Threaten to physically hurt others
  • Spread lies about someone, a product, a business, or a group
  • Post a nude photo knowing the subject of the photo meant for it to be kept private
  • Extort or otherwise threaten action unless you get something you want
• Don’t harm or harass. For example, don't:
  • Engage in self-harm
  • Encourage violence against people or animals
  • Scream at, intimidate, or bully others
  • Violate another person's privacy (e.g., share someone’s personal information like home address)
  • Fail to protect your account, devices, and personal information (e.g., lend your credentials, post your private information publicly, fail to supervise your devices)
• Don’t harm Microsoft, Xbox Live, or another person's device. For example, don't:
  • Post links to malware
  • Interfere with another's ability to access their network or device
  • Interfere with Xbox Live

Microsoft has no obligation to monitor the Communication Services. However, Microsoft reserves the right to review materials posted to a Communication Service and to remove any materials in its
sole discretion. Microsoft reserves the right to terminate your access to any or all of the Communication Services at any time without notice for any reason whatsoever.

(Gamertags and Gamerpics are held to these standards as well.)

And here is a link to how the enforcement system works, it is from 2010 but the basic functionality is still the same today:

https://youtu.be/bhz9eTcL1h0

Now for some of the most common reasons people give as to why they shouldn’t be penalized:

1. They messaged me and call me trash and were rude to me first! I just responded!

Doesn’t matter who “started it” or what they said or did to you, you took the bait and they reported you.

Solution: Don’t respond, report and block. If you REALLY feel you must respond, don’t say anything that can be construed as foul language or a personal attack.

2. I let my friend/sibling/grandmother/dog use my account.

You are solely responsible for any and all activity that occurs on

your account.

3. The word I used has multiple meanings and I didn’t mean it in the “bad” way.

Just stay away from words or phrases that can be taken as lewd or crude.

4. Banning me is a violation of freedom of speech! (My personal favorite)

Legal definition: “The right, guaranteed by the First
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, to express beliefs and ideas without unwarranted
government restriction.”

So no, Microsoft is not violating your rights by controlling what is posted on their systems, they are a non governmental entity. Their house, their rules

Everyone here has agreed to the terms of use, most of us will go our entire time on Xbox without ever being banned or penalized.

So, in the end it really is as simple as:

• Protect yourself from jerks by muting or blocking other players
• Report bad behavior by filing a complaint
• Want more help? Get more information about enforcement

:)