XBL rule change allows users to express race, sexual orientation
Service's terms of use amended to allow greater freedom of expression
Microsoft has amended its Xbox Live terms of use, allowing users to express their race, nationality, religion and sexual orientation, if they choose, in their Gamertags and profiles.
Xbox Live GM Marc Whitten said the move had been made in response to feedback from customers who had felt excluded from the community, adding that the company's original stance had a arisen from a desire to protect its users from abuse.
"The Xbox Live Terms of Use and Code of Conduct are designed to create a place where people can safely enjoy all of the ways to interact on our service, be it online multiplayer gaming, photo sharing, Netflix parties, or social games such as 1 vs 100, without fear of discrimination or harassment," said Whitten, in an open letter published on Xbox.com.
"As the service evolves and our customers provide us with feedback, these rules evolve to incorporate new features or changes in how people wish to interact.
"With that in mind, I'd like to announce an update to the Xbox Live Terms of Use and Code of Conduct which will allow our members to more freely express their race, nationality, religion and sexual orientation in Gamertags and profiles.
"Under our previous policy, some of these expressions of self-identification were not allowed in Gamertags or profiles to prevent the use of these terms as insults or slurs. However we have since heard feedback from our customers that while the spirit of this approach was genuine, it inadvertently excluded a part of our Xbox Live community."
Microsoft said that the update will happen alongside increased stringency and enforcement to prevent the misuse of its terms.
"I truly believe that our diversity is what makes us strong: diversity in gaming and entertainment options, and diversity in the people that make up this amazing community," Whitten added.