In recent memory, Sony has censored Japanese games while permitting full underaged sex scenes in western games. When the Last of Us 2’s story was leaked, Sony abused the DMCA process to take down videos and channels on YouTube. Ruining either the content creators’ hard work or caused them many lost hours of sleep. As a company, they’ve determined that being socially conscious and politically correct is more important than producing good products. Those products produced will be sold at a $10 markup because they know you’ll pay for it.
Then they release a console missing features and loaded with hardware and software problems. Still, people went out in droves to purchase the PS5. Including those directly harmed by Sony’s recent actions. This will likely fall on death ears, but the PS5 has another shortcoming, it censored what you can post to Twitter.
Specifically, as determined by The Gamer, the PS5’s share function does not permit the use of “profanity.” Sony has not returned any outlet’s inquiries at the time of this writing or provided a comprehensive list of what it deems “profanity.”
Compounding the issue of censorship, the system itself does not always function properly, nor can it be turned off. One user attempted to post a simple video to Twitter discussing how much they enjoyed a game, only for the system to inform them they have to remove profanity contained within. The problem for him was the complete lack of profanity.
Err… what?
I wanted to share a screenshot of the wonderful Astro’s Playroom but the PS5 asks me to “remove profanity to continue”….. not sure what the profanity is! Marketing maybe?? 😄Anyway, it’s still a delightful game. 😁#PS5Share #ASTROsPLAYROOM pic.twitter.com/22Bg1dJfF0
— Patrick Beja (@NotPatrick) November 21, 2020
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Principally one has to understand that what we are witnessing is the gradual normalization of speech policing. Once you’ve accepted their right to censor profanity, then what qualifies as profanity will be expanded. After all, if you aren’t allowed to swear, then the system should definitely censor hate speech or even potential hate speech.
This cannot be argued to be a slippery slope fallacy as it is what social media conglomerates did to erode freedom of speech on their platforms. Now they’re at the point of silencing the President of the United States while covering up major controversy for his political rival.
Only a fool would kid themselves in thinking they’ll fare better than a president.
Loading comments…