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Microsoft doesn't want you to swear at your Xbox One

Microsoft doesn't want you to swear at your Xbox One

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Xbox One 1024px
Xbox One 1024px

The Xbox One's Upload Studio is designed to help you share your most exciting gameplay clips with friends. But as some early console owners are already finding out, using profanity during those recordings can have consequences. Microsoft has confirmed to The Verge that it is handing out temporary Xbox Live bans for select gamers found to be using "excessive" foul language in content created with Upload Studio. Most users aren't being prevented from playing online games, but instead are barred from attaching Kinect camera recordings to their gameplay clips. In some cases, they're temporarily blocked from using Upload Studio at all.

"We want a clean, safe, and fun environment for all users."

Numerous users have taken to Reddit and other sites to complain about the punishment, pointing out that Upload Studio isn't explicitly mentioned anywhere in the Xbox Live Code of Conduct. These reports have also led to some confusion about whether Microsoft monitors private Skype conversations for profanity. That's simply not true, according to the company. "To be clear, the Xbox Live Policy & Enforcement team does not monitor direct peer-to-peer communications like Skype chats and calls," a Microsoft spokesperson tells The Verge. "We take Code of Conduct moderation via Upload Studio very seriously. We want a clean, safe, and fun environment for all users. Excessive profanity as well as other Code of Conduct violations will be enforced upon and result in suspension of some or all privileges on Xbox Live."

Microsoft insists this is to ensure "a safe, secure, and enjoyable experience" for all users of the service. We've reached out to the company for clarification on just what it considers to be "excessive." Upload Studio allows users to save clips recorded with Xbox One's Game DVR to their personal SkyDrive account. Microsoft has previously said it would allow customers to share those videos "without restrictions or limitations."