Microsoft to ban offensive language, content on Skype, Xbox
What's the story
Microsoft has updated its Services Agreement under which it reserves the right to penalize or ban users for "offensive language" and "inappropriate content" across its products like Skype, Xbox and even Office.
This means that people can have their accounts suspended or even shut for violating the new user agreement.
The update will come into effect from May 1.
Details
Don't use offensive language on shared Word docs, Skype calls
In its Code of Conduct section, Microsoft said, "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)."
And "Services" theoretically encompasses all of Microsoft's products.
This translates into Microsoft penalizing you for using offensive language in shared Word documents or on Skype calls or with Cortana.
Enforcement
Microsoft reserves the right to "investigate" user content
In terms of enforcement, Microsoft said, "When investigating alleged violations of these Terms, Microsoft reserves the right to review Your Content in order to resolve the issue. However, we cannot monitor the entire Services."
So the company might not listen in on calls, but it is still unclear how it defines "offensive language," the basis on which action will be taken.
Reason
Microsoft's side of the story
Explaining the reason for the update, Microsoft said, "The recent changes to the Microsoft Service Agreement's Code of Conduct provide transparency on how we respond to customer reports of inappropriate public content."
But, Mike Ybarra, Director of Xbox program management, said that on Xbox particularly, there was no policy change.
Does this mean that it was already monitoring/banning users for offensive language?