Big Tech is about to repeat a big mistake.
Microsoft has actively sought to increase its control of privately owned Minecraft servers since it acquired the game in 2014.
Last month, the tech giant began cryptographically tying messages to accounts, setting the stage for universal moderation. In the upcoming 1.19.1 update, any account which violates the Community Guidelines may be banned from ALL online servers — Public or private.
The long and short of it is that a megacorp is asserting the power to ban you for life from a game you bought for how you conduct yourself in your own home.
It’s been almost a decade since the first #GamerGate. The vidya oligarchs are overdue for a sharp lesson in what happens when they piss off extremely online, tech savvy autists.
And let this be another lesson to counterculture artists. Do not sign your rights away to the enemy. Unless you want to see your life’s work bastardized and weaponized against your audience.
And let it serve as a reminder to consumers not to pay people who hate you.
In the meantime, there’s a petition against Microsoft’s Minecraft censorship. Make sure you uncheck the “Show my name” box, and sign it here.
