Update, March 28: The new Microsoft terms of service will not impact Xbox Live accounts.
Xbox Live accounts will not be affected by new Microsoft terms of service agreements which will ban the use of “offensive language” from a variety of the company’s services.
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We reported yesterday that the terms of service agreements could see Xbox accounts revoked for the use of offensive language. According to Xbox vice president Mike Ybarra, however, the terms of service for Xbox Live are not set to change on May 1, so players will not be affected by the change.
There is no policy change for Xbox Live. https://t.co/NbpxkGXDUX
— Mike Ybarra (@XboxQwik) March 27, 2018
There’s no guarantee Microsoft won’t change the terms at some time in the future, but for now at least, there’s little need to worry about losing access to your account. The changes will still impact Skype however, so be careful if you use the service to chat with your friends.
Original story, March 27:Microsoft will ban offensive language via Xbox, Skype, and other services. The changes, which are part of the company’s new Terms of Service agreement, will come into effect on May 1.
The new ToS will cover a variety of Microsoft services, from Cortana to Office. It could mean that players face bans or suspensions from Xbox Live services; a summary of the changes released by Microsoft states that “violation of the Code of Conduct through Xbox Services may result in suspensions or bans from participation in Xbox Services,” meaning the brig might not be all you have to fear if you’re being rude in Sea of Thieves.
The new terms also extend to Skype, so you’re not completely safe even if you’re just chatting with your friends. What exactly constitutes offensive language isn’t clear, but Microsoft claim they have the right to go back through your data to check what you’ve been up to, (in the event of an alleged violation).