NY kick sex offenders out of online games

2,100 registered sex offenders in New York have been kicked out of online gaming, so the safety of children can be protected. Gaming accounts have been wiped from various platforms in a new move.

The initiative is called ‘Operation: Game Over', and this is the second stage. It is the first time a list mandated by the states Electronic Securing and Targeting of Online Predators (e-STOP) has been applied to the world of online games.

In April game companies revoked the subscriptions of more than 3,800 customers convicted of sex crimes. Law states that sex offenders are required to register all their online identities with the state. This list is then supplied to private internet companies for them to cross reference with their own database to remove accounts belonging to offenders.

So far Electronic Arts, Blizzard, Disney Interactive, Apple, Microsoft, Sony and Warner Brothers have agreed to participate in the scheme.

Attorney general Eric T. Schneiderman of New York said “The Internet is the crime scene of the 21st century, and we must ensure that online video game platforms do not become a digital playground for dangerous predators. That means doing everything possible to block sex offenders from using gaming systems as a vehicle to prey on underage victims.”

Kitguru says: So far, it hasn't been made clear how the accounts were deleted and if the people were refunded for a cancellation of service.

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