The office of the Attorney General in New York has announced “Operation: Game Over”, which has removed registered sex offenders from the likes of Xbox Live as the offenders might have an opportunity to communicate with children. This is the first time the law has been applied to online video game systems.
GamesIndustryInternational report that Attorney General Eric T Schneiderman had more than 3,500 accounts of New York registered sex offenders purged from online game platforms.
Microsoft, Apple, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Disney Interactive Media Group, Warner Brothers and Sony are all supporting the cause.
“We must ensure online video game systems do not become a digital playground for dangerous predators. That means doing everything possible to block sex offenders from using gaming networks as a vehicle to prey on underage victims,” said Attorney General Schneiderman.
“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. Together we are making the online community safer for our children, not allowing it to become a 21st century crime scene.”
Rich Wallis, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Microsoft says the gaming giant will continually evaluate ways to manage safety on Xbox Live to protect members and particularly children using the service.
“Our partnership with the Office of the New York Attorney General helps further this cause. By leveraging the online identity information all registered sex offenders are required to provide, we are able to help reduce potentially harmful situations. We’re supportive of Attorney General Schneiderman’s efforts to make the Internet, including online gaming environments like Xbox LIVE, safer for everyone.”
While both Microsoft and Sony were prominently mentioned in the report, Nintendo were curiously not cited.
