Difference between revisions of "PlayStation Party Recording"

Revision as of 19:41, 11 March 2021

Intro here

Software Update 8.00

The announcement

On October 14th, 2020 PlayStation announced a system software 8.00 update to its PS4 system. As announced in the official PlayStation blog, updates include new avatars, ability to mute all mics, improved parental controls, and dual-factor verification. ^[1] As the update rolled out, users were quick to jump to social media about a pop-up they received, stating: “Voice chats may be recorded for moderation. By joining, you agree to be recorded.” Many users questioned what this pop-up meant, its implications, and why it was not included in the announcement. Twitter users @Tacodog13 replied to the official PlayStation twitter account with a photo of the announcement with the quote “So anyone gonna acknowledge this???” ^[2]

The follow up

PlayStation later added an update to its announcement stating that the voice chat is a feature available on the PS5 that enables individual users to record the parties they participate in and submit them to PlayStation for content moderation. By playing in a party with a PS5 user, PlayStation users are consenting that a user may be recording them. ^[3]

Ethics

Safety

PlayStation clarifies the company itself is not recording parties, but it is rather a choice for individuals who feel that the conversation in question is harmful in some way. In a follow up blog by the Global Consumer Experience head at PlayStation, it is clarified that the intent is to manage online safety and report inappropriate behavior that violates its conduct code. She states “the feature will not actively monitor or listen in on your conversations” ^[3]

PlayStation argues that Code of Conduct violations need to have a way to be truthfully reported to maintain online safety. There is no option to opt-out of recording, as PlayStation argues all users should be abiding by safety guidelines and therefore not threatened by the potential implications of the recording -- so long as they're acting appropriately online.

Transparency

Social media backlash caused #PS4Update to trend after users began seeing the pop-up. Users questioned why PlayStation was not placing a larger emphasis on the recording feature and what exacting consenting to being recorded meant. ^[2] Users were concerned that they would unknowingly be recorded and were unsure of when they were being record, by whom, and for what purpose.

Privacy Policy

This discussion led users to dig deeper into PlayStation's privacy policy and found contradictory information. In 2013, Sony (the parent company of PlayStation) altered its PS4 Terms and Conditions to allow monitoring of any activity, including: "your UGM [user generated media], the content of your voice and text communications, video of your gameplay, the time and location of your activities, and your name, your PSN Online ID and IP address" by Sony PlayStation and any of its associate companies. ^[4]

References

1. ↑ Director, S., Shuman, S., Director, S., Manager, S., Manager, S., Specialist, G., Director, C. (2020, October 14). PS4 system software update 8.00 launching today. Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://blog.playstation.com/2020/10/14/ps4-system-software-update-8-00-launching-today/
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Ivan, T. (2020, October 16). Ps4 update trends after users warned 'voice chats are recorded'. Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ps4-update-8-00-is-causing-multiple-issues-and-trending-after-players-realise-voice-chats-are-recorded/
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Jensen, C. (2020, October 16). Details on new voice chat functionality coming to ps5. Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://blog.playstation.com/2020/10/16/details-on-new-voice-chat-functionality-coming-to-ps5/
4. ↑ Staff, M. (2013, November 11). New Sony T&Cs say it can "monitor and record voice and TEXT communications" on PSN. Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/new-sony-tcs-say-it-can-monitor-and-record-voice-and-text-communications-on-psn/