Virtual Predator Panic: NY Atty Gen wants to ban RSOs from Online Games

Any good sex offender video game would
have The Gropinator as a playable character.

Lets go down the checklist. Isolated incident? Check. Insane level of panic? Check. Novel feel-good law that will get some dipshit re-elected but doesn't prevent anything? Check. Question, If I approach EA to make a Sims sex offender expansion pack, would I be allowed to play online? Just a thought.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2012/04/05/new-york-city-attorney-general-annouces-sweeping-purge-of-sex-offenders-from-online-games/


New York State Attorney General Announces Purge of Sex Offenders From Online Games

New York State[/entity] Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a sweeping purge of registered sex offenders from online worlds Thursday. In what’s being called Operation: Game Over, his office is cooperating with entertainment giants Microsoft, Disney, Apple, Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Warner Bros. and Sony.


“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.”


Predation can be a serious problem in online games, and stories where pedophiles have used Xbox Live or games like World of Warcraft to meet children come up with alarming regularity. Making these spaces safer will be a difficult task, but Schneiderman’s office has assembled an impressive coalition of major entertainment companies for the project.


“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.”


New York State requires sex offenders to register their email addresses and other online identifiers. Operation: Game Over has purged 3,850 accounts of New York State registered sex offenders, though hey could be using other aliases to interact online. Expanding the program with other states’ cooperation would extend its reach, as well.