You might have noticed and deleted an email from Microsoft this morning, informing you of a change in their Services Agreement with you. Fortunately someone over at The Inquirer actually read the update and noticed a particularly egregious update, if you swear at your friends on Skype you just might lose your account. By using Microsoft services you are now agreeing not to share inappropriate content or material, which includes offensive language, so you should watch your tongue around Cortana in case she reports you.
It is unlikely that Microsoft will have the capability to monitor all conversations so the use of occasional blue language may escape their notice; hopefully they don't watch the bloody podcast. Illegal content remains illegal and is what they should be devoting their resources to detecting, not someone showing off their intellect and grasp of language.
"If you violate these Terms, we may stop providing Services to you or we may close your Microsoft account. We may also block delivery of a communication (like email, file sharing or instant message) to or from the Services in an effort to enforce these Terms or we may remove or refuse to publish Your Content for any reason."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- New BranchScope Attack Vector for Intel CPUs @ [H]ard|OCP
- Microsoft's Windows 7 Meltdown fixes from January, February made PCs MORE INSECURE @ The Register
- OnePlus 6 release date, specs and price: An iPhone X like display notch has been confirmed @ The Inquirer
- Meet the open sorcerers who have vowed to make Facebook history @ The Register
- Windows 10 vs. Windows WSL vs. Linux – Ubuntu / openSUSE / Debian / Clear Linux @ Phoronix
- NETGEAR Orbi RBK50 WiFi System @ TechPowerUp
That’s a pretty narrow
That’s a pretty narrow definition when in fact “offensive language” covers a wide path of language. I’m sure this is directed more at racist/hate speech than anything else, and will probably require people to report it. I wouldn’t get too up in arms over what I assume is an anti-harassment change.
Here’s the agreement,
Here’s the agreement, btw:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/upcoming.aspx?irgwc=1&OCID=AID681541_aff_7593_1211691
The paragraph on enforcement states that they don’t even try to monitor anything.
The italics added for emphasis.
I got blocked from editing
I got blocked from editing when I tried to fix the lack of formatting, but look at that last sentence of the quoted block.
I could have sworn I added
I could have sworn I added that link … and I did specifically mention they can't monitor everything.
If this was specifically about racist and hate speech, it should say that. Not to mention there are already plenty of harrasment laws already in place in various countries which currently cover that.
Intentionally vague
Intentionally vague rules/laws are intentionally vague for a reason, and should never be blown off as ‘oh I’m sure they won’t use this in any nefarious way’…that’s the entire purpose for them.
If you can’t censor speech
If you can’t censor speech through laws, censor it through EULAs. Perfect. So how exactly will this work when casting games with “potty language”? Exempted?
Sounds like something taken
Sounds like something taken from XBOX TOS.
I find Net Neutrality a
I find Net Neutrality a non-issue since these services seem to do a great job censoring what is said anyways. Much better than any ISP.
What does this have to do
What does this have to do with Net Neutrality! This is more to do with Big Cortana is always watching and that DRM stuff.
More censorship after the new
More censorship after the new laws passed and the fake facebook crisis.