We can now add a new Microsoft policy of punishing account users who use “offensive language” while logged into one of their products or services to the growing list of draconian measures employed by tech companies to police online content.
In a release summarizing the new policy, which will go into effect May 1, Microsoft stated:
In the Code of Conduct section, we’ve clarified that use of offensive language and fraudulent activity is prohibited.
Microsoft stated that they may temporarily suspend or boot offending users permanently from their products. They also reserve the right to search through user content.
The company’s code of conduct was written to crack down on spam, the transmission of malware, child exploitation, and illegal activity. So far, Microsoft has not been explicit about what will constitute offensive language.
Users expect the policy to have the biggest effect on Xbox Live players, who are known to troll each other during games. But other Microsoft customers worry the new code of conduct could restrict free speech on platforms like Skype and OneDrive.
Civil rights activist Jonathan Corbett challenged the company in a blog post, writing:
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 ‘fuck’ in it? What’s clear here is that Microsoft is reserving the right to cancel your account whenever they feel like it.
While users commenting on Reddit claim the policy is really nothing new, many Microsoft customers and tech users fear the move is a pretext for censoring people. It adds to an intensifying debate regarding tech companies and social media companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Google tweaking their algorithms to control page reach and enacting measures that restrict creative expression and free speech. Some journalists claim the Big 5 tech companies — Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon — as well as other information gatekeepers, are taking censorship cues from Washington lawmakers and acting as the de facto face of repressive government.
“Some journalists claim the Big 5 tech companies — Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon — as well as other information gatekeepers, are taking censorship cues from Washington lawmakers and acting as the de facto face of repressive government.”
Wow … anyone who tries to pedal this pile of BS (current ‘Government’ acting repressive) can NOT be called a journalist!! These people really do believe we all are stupid and have the memory or attention span of a gold fish!
Literally just two years ago is when this ‘no-lies-barred’, full blown agitprop campaign began in the main stream media…long before the current U.S. administration won the election. Everyone can see the ‘little man behind the curtain’ now and still, they try to push this gas-lighting propaganda daily. BIG HINT: the Western first world is currently controlled by FASCISTS (look it up…not right-wing populists at all but, any PRIVATE group working with Government to control population)!! If you don’t SEE CLEARLY NOW, the west is run by a Corporate Fascist system of oligarchs, who run the central fiat banking system then you ARE part of the problem!
Fadbook, A-maze-in, Appfail, Netfix, Gagall (don’t know why *Malsoft isn’t included) are considered by the investment sector as FAANG companies which drive how we are all enslav… er, how we now live our modern lives. Acronym is appropriate. I only learned about this on Tuesday, so the timing for my comment/rely could not have been much better.
*I guess “FAANGM” might give too much awareness away as to what they’re trying to do to us as part of the commie eighty-year plan.
We are run by the corporate state under the hidden claw of a group of tall white Reptilian Overlords. The Republic is dead and we never had a democracy. The illusion of a democracy is what we have in front of US but behind the curtain is a human being mind controlled by a specific group of extraterrestrials. We are biological constructs from progenitors from another world; we have a lot to learn about REALITY. Draconian policies are dragon, cold blooded lizard like behavior. The R complex is a biological comparative when monitoring what makes US up as creatures which is basic in fact.
Listen to yourself, there is no aliens. There are demons who possess those who allow them to. This world is controlled by satan. The zionists are his people who rule this world, and they have plans to turn this world into a one world government.
Please be aware that ‘democracy’ is synonyms with ‘mob rule’ and as such I am glad we never had one. Sadly, you are spot on about the Republic being dead. Sunday is resurrection day, so there may yet be hope for America. It will take honest people to honorably serve. (And a purge of the Marxist-socialists pretending to be free market Capitalists.) Not so sure about your idea of origins, but I, myself, am a Native Tellurian.
Any language contrary to the Socialist agenda will quickly become offensive language. This is just the warm up. Wait and see.
Draconian doesn’t even begin to describe this. More like Fascist, Jackbooted, Power Tripping, Constitution busting, TYRANNY!!!!!!!!
Or else what? They make it worse? (TWO bricked “Fenestras 10” laptops from unanticipated and unstoppable auto-updates.) One brand new during setup. Plus a nicked 7 Home Version when 10 tried to upgrade IT against my will. BTW, does anyone know why there was never a version 9?
*Because 7,8,9.
*If you don’t get this, go ask a grade school kid.
X is 10. 10 is X. Look up the X virus or the new deadly propaganda scare… and they are invested in vaxxines… hmmmm
Et tu, Ubuntu?
I also avoid vaccinations. Maybe that’s why I seem to be targeted so often.
Even my Android phone broke in the same time frame.
Somebody do a quick cross check and match on a gematria calculator for Bill Gates and Antichrist, then get back to me.
I’ll be chugging colloidal silver and kombucha tea while I wait.
Expressing truths about vaccination corruption, damages etc are also verboten on FB by the order of government censorship.This is red hot Communism.
Now do you understand why you can’t own software but use it like a book with a copyright.
Anything that we humans make can be used for either good, or evil.
I quit using Microsoft about 5 years ago. Moved on to Linux, best tech decision I have ever made.