The state of New York, Apple, Microsoft, Sony and other companies have joined forces to ban sex offenders from online gaming networks.
New York law requires convicted sex offenders to hand over all email addresses and internet screennames to the state, which makes that information available to websites and companies. The companies can then insta-ban objectionable people from their services. 3,580 people have been banned in what they're calling "Operation: Game Over."
As you might expect, the idea is to protect the children on online gaming services from predators. The initiate was sparked by a 2011 case where Richard Kretovic (gamertag Formic Hivemind) was arrested for sexually abusing a boy he met through Xbox Live.
At a press conference today, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said, "We have to be vigilant in this area because online gaming is not just a digital playground, it has the potential to be a 21st century crime scene"
"I applaud all the companies participating in this first-of-its-kind initiative for taking online safety seriously and purging their networks of sex offenders," Schneiderman said, "Together we are making the online community safer for our children.”
"By leveraging the online identity information all registered sex offenders are required to provide, we are able to help reduce potentially harmful situations,” said Microsoft Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. “We’re supportive of Attorney General Schneiderman’s efforts to make the Internet, including online gaming environments like Xbox LIVE, safer for everyone.”
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AlastorRose
Would it really be that bad to ban sex offenders outright? (Which they aren't doing and I'm not saying they should) As for the whole "My girlfriend was 17 and now I'm a sex offender" You could have waited a year (and if you knew her parents would call the cops that's your bad). Don't tell me that's unreasonable, you CAN wait a year.
quint256
simple way to solve all this use a friends emial address and ave them set up the xbox live account. my friend just got banned and he just bought a 2 year subscription last week and all he did was sleep with a girl fro the club say she was 221 but she was rly 17 fake id and all
BoydofZINJ
So who is to say they have to be honest with their "true" screen names, email accounts, or XBOX live names?
Likewise, these people do not have the rights to have any video game entertainment? Most games (especially PC games), like the upcoming Diablo 3 REQUIRE online service to play. I can understand the need to protect the public (like me or anyone else) from predators. Then again, the entertainment companies make so many games require online service.
While it does sound very drastic I personally think this is a GOOD thing. However, predators can be very ... devastating to people and I am glad there are steps to remove them. Just remember kiddies... if someone says no.... IT MEANS NO. Otherwise, no more XBOX or MMOs for you!
Zzanzabar
@WoWaddict (by the name I can tell how this deeply affects you) You put up an invalid scenario trying to imply the MAJORITY of SEX OFFENDERS are simply misunderstood teenagers who have dated a 17 year old. I'm telling you, can't MAKE this stuff up folks, it is PRICELESS!!!
So, let me get this straight...You are trying to find the smallest exception to justify NOT banning child molesters, pedophiles, and abusers so that 1% can keep playing VIDEO games? LOL. You sound like a teenager yourself. By the way the only 'one little thing' wrong that would get you labeled a sex offender is to have SEX with an under aged person. Yeah...they ought to be banned for simple STUPIDITY!
This_Dave
And if they're really a bad person this law stops them from just making up another screen name or email account how?
Perplexed_Waffle
I think it would seriously help if people understood the age of consent laws which are usually pretty complicated in most states. I get why people are concerned about 18 or 19 year olds who become sex offenders because they're in sexual relationships with their younger teenage girlfriends/boyfriends, but these cases are very rare, because there are exceptions that protect teenagers who have sex with each other.
The law is probably designed to only block pedophiles anyways...
"law requires convicted sex offenders to hand over all email addresses and internet screennames to the state, which makes that information available to websites and companies. The companies can then insta-ban objectionable people from their services"
It doesn't say you're automatically banned because you're a sex offender. It's still a decision that has to be made, and it's probably based on your specific crime.
Skalywag
I understand the reasoning behind this and it's a hard subject to comment on . . . However this does seem a bit extreme. I would say just ban them from communicating with others online and not allow them to see personal information that might be listed. No need to ban them from online gaming completely.
And yeah this would suck if you're one of those poor souls who got caught sleeping with their boyfriend/girlfriend who was technically under age. Even if they're less than a year apart in age . . .
musicl0ver666
damn man if i was a sex offender i would be pissed! "im not goin online to rape little kids i just wanna play halo" XD
drummonkey
This reminds me of someone I know who thinks talking on the ps3 is "like a dating site." He should be banned.
WoWaddict142
My god this going to get worse before anything good happens. Yes maybe a regulation of sex offenders is a good thing. But it should be for people who where the pedos and rapists, not the guys who were 18 with a 17 year old girl friend. Plus if parents now a days who are buy rate M games for their 10 year old when they should be should also take notice that the ESRB who give the game ratings may rate a games conten as M for the age 17+ they don't rate online content so it may be the same game play, but your intereacting with real people who will trash talk for anyreason. So if your 10 year old is playing a rated M game ( when they shouldn't be) and is playing an online multiplayer ( which isnt rated ) then they are at the mercy of the world.
lowkevmic
As much as I don't like sex offenders. I am also very well aware of how the law can even make a guy who is 18 who hooked up with a 17 year old a registered sex offender. So it's not the stereotypical "To Catch a Predator" type of sex offender that's being thrown in this boat here.
Because of that, I think it's actually a little crappy that they simply can't game, because they're a registered sex offender.
HEY....Here's a novel idea. Remember how with XBLA along with your gamertag, you van choose your GamerZone!!?? Like Recreational...Underground...e tc. Why not Microsoft actually create a system where your gamerzone is what places you with others while playing these Multiplayer games. Like if you're 21 and over, you'll have to choose like the grown up zone, or something like that. That way, a registered offender would only game with adults. I don't know just tossing that out there, do with it what you will.
ZyX2323
I do like how all are doing it together and not using it for a marketing tool... I do want to see the ped slalkers off any form of commincations/interactions with minors...
I do not approve of complete bans just cause of a list... Someone busted for an inmature mooning, peeing in public or being with someone that 17 when they are 18 is total different imo the ped stalkers...
Yes it is there right as a company to not allow who is on there services, but I dissaprove a blanket full ban when we and the companies does not why they are on the list. Bet not one of them look at each case before banning. Thou if they did that would be truely noble/just and let us know if they did... I would hope they would let the justice system play its part on reforming crimials that servered there time. Let a Judge or there watchgaurd officer control who and how they are banned... Reform back into socity will not ever happen this way by ousting without any do process.
For the mean time while they figure a system out, just ban all communications but least let them play without chat and get it right. All people desire equal right if they have paid there debt if we want to be a society with equality...
To me seems like they got pawned in an election year tactic...
crocodilius
THE VOICE OF REASON HAS ARRIVED.
KNOCK KNOCK
who's there?
CROC.
CROC who?
YOU CAN'T BAN PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE
YOU DON'T LIKE THEM.
ALSO: QUIT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY OUT
OF THE HANDS OF PARENTS.
ALSOALSO: YOU DON'T THINK PEOPLE HAVE
MORE THAN 1 EMAIL/SCREEN NAME?
I HAVE 3 EMAILS DUDE.
YOU CAN'T EVEN F#CKING SEE ME STATE OF NEW YORK.
zombieking36
I thought there was already some factor that monitored registered offenders. I am surprised, I would've thought e-mail addresses and CC info would go thru a check in comparison to a list, and get a black mark if its on there.
Zzanzabar
Thank you gamers, you won my bet with my wife. I told her that ANY attempt to limit access to gaming, NO MATTER what the reasons would garnish a plethora of negative comments. She wouldn't believe that anyone would come to the defense of SEX offenders in giving them access to children. I said "No babe, you watch, there will be those who will come up with tons of reasons as to why this is a bad idea. I knew you would not let me down! LOL!
The one I like the best is "my friend (read me) was labeled a sex offender because he had sex with a FIFTEEN year old minor, he's no so bad!" Oh man this stuff is PRICELESS, you can't make this stuff up!
OR how about this one:
"What next, banning RAPISTS and MURDERS?" Way to go to make your point!
OR
"Some of these people might turn to video games to find an escape." Hey no one is stopping them from playing video games, only having access to others (who just might be their next prey) on line. In any case thank you who came to their defense, now I don't have to do any work around the house for a WEEK! Whoo Hoo!
vampireslayer83
According to the terms and services of Xbox Live and PSN you are required to be at least 18 or older or have parental supervision when playing online. From a legal stand point minors aren't technically supposed to be on the online part anyway.
This is such a touchy subject that I think the State of New York should have stayed out of it. I can see banning the guy who used it as a gateway to be a pedophile, but not everyone sex offender is going to do that. It requires premeditation and work to figure all that out and most people aren't going to do that while gaming.
All the idiots that say this should be law are probably minors, who shouldn't be on there in the first place, that know nothing about the court system. This would be a terrible law if it were a federal law. This would alienate and take away a simple freedom that so many enjoy. If you want to put anything into law why not charge the idiot parents for allowing their children to play online when they aren't in the room since that's technically what the terms of service state.
I might get some slack on that last part, but hey, it's true.
GabeTheReaver
They aren't being "banned from video games", they are being banned from internet content of video games. Sex offenders can still go hang out with the kids on Skyrim, although I imagine that woud be frustrating you can't do anthing but talk to them.
TheBRADLeyB
The problem with this is that i'm sure it doesn't differentiate between real pedos who took advantage of 11 year olds where and the guys who were 18 or 19 and banged their 17 year old girlfriend.
The system needs to be reworked or else you are still continuing to punish those who are not predators and simply victims of their own circumstance and mistake.
IWSTUTNISB
You mean I won't be able to prey on children in Free Realms? WOE IS ME
cardinalsfan1122
Ban them no. Maybe a label on their gamertag or as some have said lock the messaging and voice, don't cut them off from interacting with people, they still have a right to talk to people.
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