Xbox backtracks after banning accounts that automatically uploaded NSFW BG3 videos

Cal Jeffrey

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A hot potato: Even if you are not one to read a company's terms of service agreement, it should go without saying that unless it's a porn site, uploading NSFW content is not a good idea. But what if that content was not uploaded directly by you?

That's what many Xbox owners are facing now after Microsoft banned their accounts when spicy video clips from mega-hit Balder's Gate 3 were automatically uploaded publicly. Xbox Series consoles can upload saved video clips to Xbox servers as an easy way to share content with other users.

Unfortunately, many account holders were unaware that this clip sharing is on by default. So their, ahem, "saved-for-later" Baldur's Gate 3 clips were going straight to the cloud for everyone to see. Of course, this breaks Xbox's rules about uploading NSFW content, so many users woke up to find their accounts banned last week.

Balder's Gate 3 developer Larian Studios got wind of the situation earlier this week. The company felt slightly responsible for the foul-up since the risqué content was from its game. So Larian contacted Microsoft requesting it lift the bans since the users were not directly at fault for breaking the rules.

Larian posted an update on the situation this morning, letting players know that they should begin seeing their bans lifted. It also warned them to be careful about what they share and, if they want to continue auto uploading, to "turn off mature content" in Balder's Gate 3 settings.

Larian should be commended for its action because many studios would have left players to battle it out with Xbox customer support. The fact that it lent a hand means that the issue can be dealt with on a global level rather than on an individual basis. Plus, it was just a nice thing to do.

Meanwhile, Microsoft might want to set the Xbox auto-sharing feature default to "disabled" in the next system update. While it is ultimately users' responsibility to ensure they are not uploading racy content, it doesn't help when the hardware does it automatically without as much as a confirmation dialog.

It's one thing to strive for a seamless experience, but safeguards are necessary when that seamlessness could lead to a ban or other complicated user issues.

Permalink to story.

 
You would have thought the content scanning system would be able to pickup that the clips were from the game “Baulders Gate 3” which is adult rated, then automatically flagged the clips as 18+ content and block it from public view unless you’re logged in with an account that’s old enough?

Why is that auto upload and make public system on at all for games with above 12a age ratings?
 
You would have thought the content scanning system would be able to pickup that the clips were from the game “Baulders Gate 3” which is adult rated, then automatically flagged the clips as 18+ content and block it from public view unless you’re logged in with an account that’s old enough?

Why is that auto upload and make public system on at all for games with above 12a age ratings?
It was set by default to auto upload within BG3. Not by Microsoft and it's game capture system.
 
I'm so happy I have a gaming PC and not a locked down C**k box where a game setting gets my hardware banished to gulag because it might offend someone on twitter.
You would have thought the content scanning system would be able to pickup that the clips were from the game “Baulders Gate 3” which is adult rated, then automatically flagged the clips as 18+ content and block it from public view unless you’re logged in with an account that’s old enough?

Why is that auto upload and make public system on at all for games with above 12a age ratings?
Adults, especially american ones, cant handle spicy images. It makes them uncomfortable seeing someone in good physical shape enjoying physical pleasure that they will never experience without a fat wallet and willing customer.
 
I'm so happy I have a gaming PC and not a locked down C**k box where a game setting gets my hardware banished to gulag because it might offend someone on twitter.
Adults, especially american ones, cant handle spicy images. It makes them uncomfortable seeing someone in good physical shape enjoying physical pleasure that they will never experience without a fat wallet and willing customer.
It's almost over. As soon as it's only us Gen-X'ers left, things will get better. We don't give a damn about religions or racy stuff.
 
" Even if you are not one to read a company's terms of service agreement, it should go without saying that unless it's a porn site, uploading NSFW content is not a good idea."

that's not entirely true.

Lots of sites allow NSFW content (especially if it's art, games, film, etc.), BESIDES porn sites.
ie. youtube,twitch,reddit.
 
[HEADING=3]A hot potato: Even if you are not one to read a company's terms of service agreement, it should go without saying that unless it's a porn site, uploading NSFW content is not a good idea. But what if that content was not uploaded directly by you?[/HEADING]
2024-01-05-image-14.jpg
That's what many Xbox owners are facing now after Microsoft banned their accounts when spicy video clips from mega-hit Balder's Gate 3 were automatically uploaded publicly. Xbox Series consoles can upload saved video clips to Xbox servers as an easy way to share content with other users. Unfortunately, many account holders were unaware that this clip sharing is on by default. So their, ahem, "saved-for-later" Baldur's Gate 3 clips were going straight to the cloud for everyone to see. Of course, this breaks Xbox's rules about uploading NSFW content, so many users woke up to find their accounts banned last week. Balder's Gate 3 developer Larian Studios got wind of the situation earlier this week. The company felt slightly responsible for the foul-up since the risqué content was from its game. So Larian contacted Microsoft requesting it lift the bans since the users were not directly at fault for breaking the rules. Larian posted an update on the situation this morning, letting players know that they should begin seeing their bans lifted. It also warned them to be careful about what they share and, if they want to continue auto uploading, to "turn off mature content" in Balder's Gate 3 settings. Larian should be commended for its action because many studios would have left players to battle it out with Xbox customer support. The fact that it lent a hand means that the issue can be dealt with on a global level rather than on an individual basis. Plus, it was just a nice thing to do. Meanwhile, Microsoft might want to set the Xbox auto-sharing feature default to "disabled" in the next system update. While it is ultimately users' responsibility to ensure they are not uploading racy content, it doesn't help when the hardware does it automatically without as much as a confirmation dialog. It's one thing to strive for a seamless experience, but safeguards are necessary when that seamlessness could lead to a ban or other complicated user issues.Permalink to story.https://www.techspot.com/news/10142...ing-accounts-automatically-uploaded-nsfw.html
The event shows that many users were ignorant of the default auto-upload option. How should platforms educate users about features, possible implications, and privacy settings?
 
" Even if you are not one to read a company's terms of service agreement, it should go without saying that unless it's a porn site, uploading NSFW content is not a good idea."

that's not entirely true.

Lots of sites allow NSFW content (especially if it's art, games, film, etc.), BESIDES porn sites.
ie. youtube,twitch,reddit.
Yeah, but we are talking about Xbox.
 
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