Major tech and gaming companies unite to purge sex offenders from online games

Major tech and game companies will join the fight to purge convicted sex offenders from online video games in Operation: Game Over, according to a report in Forbes. Eric Schneidermann, the New York state attorney general, is leading the charge to remove accounts registered by sex offenders from popular online communities.

Participating companies include Microsoft, Sony, Disney, Apple, Warner Bros., Electronic Arts, and Blizzard.

“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 Schneiderman in a statement. “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.”

New York state requires all sex offenders to register their email and online information. Even with this information, it is easy for sex offenders to assume online aliases and open new accounts. To date, Operation: Game Over has removed over 3,850 accounts belonging to offenders registered in New York. Partnering with major corporations was crucial to making this progress.

“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,” said Microsoft Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. “We’re supportive of Attorney General Schneiderman’s efforts to make the Internet, including online gaming environments like Xbox LIVE, safer for everyone.”

[image taken from Doubleblade]