New York Bans Sex Offenders From Online Game Services

I dont know how I feel about this. I actually thought registered sex offenders, ones who actually committed some sort of sexual crime not like urination in public, were already not allowed to use these online services. I like the idea of this if done properly but why the hell wasnt it around back when XBL and PSN first started? Im curious what other things I assumed were some kind of law out of common sense that arent.

I sure hope they do include Blizzard-Activision and not just blizzard if not, it sure makes sense that they're clearly milking all their games for cash regardless of who you rape...err nvm

i think this would only pertain to people that are on one of the tiered sex offenders list. but still that could include people who are thrown on that list for something so trivial as public urination.

I'd be pretty surprised if this law targeted specific levels of sex offenses rather than just a blanket ruling on all people with that conviction. I imagine your urinator buddy would be screwed.

The justice system is kind of flawed in regards to these kinds of offenses. If a 19 year-old guy has consensual sex with a 17 year-old girl, they're a rapist...what is that? Of course, loosing access to Xbox Live is hardly the worst thing that happens to you if you're labeled as a sex offender.

It has to be a blanket law. No way are they going to "grade" each and every offender then make a yes or no decision as to including them or not.

i agree with you, for something like this to happen they should have to look at the type of offense the person commited. this can actually be argued, as different tiers of offenders have different degree's of banning from certain internet privleges

Sorry to break the flow of serious discussion but I pissed of my balcony and unknowingly onto some towels drying below and got in trouble. My point is I agree that balcony pissing is a bad idea.

De-ting? do you read this? This is pure TPS gold!

As of 2011, the average age of a video game player is 37, yet the idiotic state of New York sees fit to force XBL and PSN, two privately owned companies who should have the right to serve whoever they want, to comply with their useless regulations. Figures. Whenever the justice system gets involved, you can bet the end result will be injustice.

The average age of a video game player is 37... ?

It sounds well intentioned but people in law tend to forget about grey areas until it's too late. Hoping along that it isn't a blanket law for those that arguably don't deserve the label of offender.

I'm very wary of "registered sex offender" laws in general. If someone gets caught at this and properly convicted, all fine and well. But once they do the time and get through the probation or whatever, it's pretty shitty to insist that they be marked for life. And that's what most of these lists do, from what I hear. Once you're listed, your name is there forever. Maybe I'm wrong about that. I certainly would like to be wrong about that, because if I'm not, then all this does is make it impossible for these folks to actually get on with their lives. This video game thing would just add insult to injury.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia urination in public is just that, peeing in public. There has to be intent behind indecent exposure for it to warrant any sort of sex offender status. Exposing yourself to people and pissing in a corner are two completely different things. It surprises me that anybody who got caught urinating in public would be charged with a sexual offense, since urinating is not sexual in nature.

In some states "mooning" some one is considered indecent exposure, and not a joke.

You're not doing it right, then.

Hey I posted this article on the gr chat interesting

I drunkenly peed on a dude once. He wasn't happy, but he also wasn't a cop.

I usually pee in the toilet.

Do you know what the most moronic part of sex offender laws is? Age of consent. Speaking from my memories of High School, and also my own teenage years, trust me, by the time a person is 16 or 17 (Sometimes younger) they're more than capable of making rational, purposeful decisions. Being 18 doesn't somehow make you magically more mature (I know plenty of immature 50 year olds, male and female). So yeah, I'm always wary of sex offender laws. Of course, if anyone were to ever force themselves onto someone of the opposite sex... I say bring out the pitchforks, and torches. Also, did you know if you're 16, and have sex with someone else who is 16, you can both be sent to jail, and labeled as a sex offender? It's happened, I could even provide links to court cases.

Depends on the state, but yeah.