Why are Bans a thing?

ObieTric · Jul 11, 2019

Community,

I have been a long time paying and supportive member of Xbox Live since its original launch over 15 years ago. I have to say I do not agree at all with the new "banning" because of language. In order to procure/play on xbox live we have to agree to the ToS.
This would require the person and/or their legal guardian to sign up and accept the ToS. Anyone under 18 can not be held to your ToS as they are not adults.

Now you are attempting to control the way we speak and the words we use. While I may agree with the hate speech and the language to an extent (depending on its context of course) are inappropriate at times. You already have a solution to this problem built
into the service. The Language filters, mute, and block functions are all tools consumers can use to mold their gaming experience. Why become dictators?

Why are you now taking it a step further and dictating what we the consumer can and can not say. You are only where you are because of our support and in recent years I have noticed almost NO one uses their communication devices in games because everyone can
report you for anything even something as small as beating them. They report us and if we've ever used language you will search it out, use it against us and ban us.

I know you think you are helping but you are not. You are actually doing the opposite in the community and I for one am leaning towards other platforms for my gaming. Perhaps offer an ADULT Live and a Snowflake Live?

:)

Gimpy_P

Is it really that hard to control yourself around other people?

MetalNutz

The rules are there to keep users in line. If these practices weren't in place the community would be worse for everyone. If you just follow the simple rules then you have nothing to worry about.

I understand nothing is perfect, but the rules are in place to help keep everyone's experience a positive one.

Xbox isn't the only system with these rules either.

Fl0ydPinkert0n

I have been a long time paying and supportive member of Xbox Live since its original launch over 15 years ago. I have to say I do not agree at all with the new "banning" because of language.

Now you are attempting to control the way we speak and the words we use. While I may agree with the hate speech and the language to an extent (depending on its context of course) are inappropriate at times. You already have a solution to this problem built
into the service. The Language filters, mute, and block functions are all tools consumers can use to mold their gaming experience. Why become dictators?

I know you think you are helping but you are not. You are actually doing the opposite in the community and I for one am leaning towards other platforms for my gaming. Perhaps offer an ADULT Live and a Snowflake Live?

I'll address a couple points.

1) Depending on the type, severity and frequency of offense(s), the Xbox Enforcement team can issue different types of suspensions and / or bans. For example, communication suspension, account suspensions, forced gamertag changes, privileg suspension, and
device bans.

https://enforcement.xbox.com/en-US/home/howto#sub-topic0-2

https://enforcement.xbox.com/en-US/home/howto#sub-topic0-3

2) Now? The Code of Conduct / Enforcement actions have been around for years.

3) Microsoft allows trash talking on Xbox Live; they don't allow harassment. There is a difference, and it's outlined with examples in the Community Standards.

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/Legal/Community-Standards

4) Yes, they provide tools for dealing with people; not just 'mute' and 'block', there is also the option to report people.

https://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/xbox-live/file-a-complaint

After someone gets reported, someone from the Enforcement team will look into it.

"XBLPET investigates complaints and takes each report into consideration when making an enforcement decision, but a certain volume or frequency of complaints doesn’t guarantee a suspension. We take an evidence-based approach to enforcement and take numerous
factors into account when considering issuing a suspension. The context around the content or activity is particularly essential and drives our decision-making process. Simply put, there is no magic formula that instantly results in a suspension."

https://enforcement.xbox.com/en-US/home/howto#sub-topic0-5

5) Other platforms have similar rules, reporting options, and repercussions.

6) There are adult, teen, and child accounts.

https://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/security/add-family-member-on-xbox-one

https://support.xbox.com/en-US/my-a...nd-profile/add-child-to-family-account-online

7) Xbox Live is a private platform / service, and like you already mentioned, people agree to their Terms and Conditions when making an account.

Drizzle 084

As has been stated before on multiple platforms, from Twitter to Facebook to Snapchat and upheld by courts, companies do have the power to curtail your language. We in the US do have the freedom of speech upheld by the first amendment, however companies
and moderators/owners of a forum site have the power to ban for language.

Asking a question like this is like asking "why was I banned for cheating?" to a game company or in some examples I have seen "why was I banned for exploiting X glitch?". It comes down to not snowflakes as you say, but rather a company wanting to protect
all members of their community, from the kids who play to the adults.

Buachaill Dona

Like of people have said, Xbox Live and many other websites are not bound by freedom of speech. I come from a country where your words have consequences if they break the law, and also you never know who the other person is, how old they are, if something
life changing happened to them recently. So it stands to reason that banning for bad language or other inappropriate speech is needed. Its not just about being an "Adult" or "Snowflake", its about being an environment where everyone can feel safe and enjoy
their activities.

Happy gaming my friend.

Why are Bans a thing?