Issue: September 14, 2022

Activision bans over 500,000 Call of Duty players for “toxic” behavior

The results of a new censorship filter.

Christina Maas

If you’re tired of censorship and surveillance, subscribe to Reclaim The Net.

Since it launched an automated filtering system in 2021, Activision has banned half a million Call of Duty accounts. It was the first time Activision has released data about the censorship system. The gaming company also announced a new code of conduct for Call of Duty, which all players must go through before playing Modern Warfare 2 Beta.

Activision said the censorship was as a result of “toxic” behavior.

“Since our last Call of Duty community update, our enforcement and anti-toxicity teams have continued to progress, including scrubbing our global player database to remove toxic users,” Activision announced.

The new COD code of conduct has three core values:

Treat everyone with respect: Activision does not tolerate any bullying or harassment
Compete with integrity
Stay vigilant

If you’re tired of censorship and surveillance, subscribe to Reclaim The Net.

Read more

Digital representation of a face with a mesh overlay and glowing points in a city street at night.

Banned But Not Blocked: How Some US Police Departments Navigate Around Facial Recognition Prohibitions

Facial recognition bans are being undermined as police in cities like Austin and San Francisco find loopholes.

A digital artwork of the United States Capitol building at sunset, with reflections in the water below and dark clouds overhead.

Lawmakers Say KOSA Doesn’t Mandate Online Age Verification. It Effectively Does.

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) uses online safety as a pretext for increased control, paving the way for digital ID and threatening privacy.

Abstract digital illustration of a magnifying glass over a user icon with binary code background.

Opt-Out or Be Exposed: Fighting Data Brokers

Data brokers harvest and sell your personal data—from browsing habits to financial details—fueling an unregulated, invasive surveillance economy.

Cell towers on a hill with a digital network overlay at sunset.

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Say They Have a Legal Right To Track You and Sell Your Data

The legal battle raises questions about privacy, corporate accountability, and the boundaries of regulatory power.

Neoclassical building with columns and a triangular pediment, featuring a sculpted figure at the top.

Guilty Until Proven Innocent: How Financial Institutions Quietly Put You Under the Microscope

Even the most routine money moves could land you in a secretive surveillance dragnet, with no explanation and no way out.

Futuristic air fryer with digital display surrounded by colorful glowing lights and abstract geometric patterns.

How Your Air Fryer and Other Household Appliances Became Data Miners

“Smart” gadgets: the convenience you crave, with the surveillance you didn’t ask for.

Abstract digital artwork depicting a bustling city street with a person wearing glasses in the foreground, colorful geometric patterns, and silhouetted figures in the background.

With a Few Tweaks, Meta’s Smart Glasses Can Expose Names, Addresses, and Even Family Details With a Single Glance

From prank-worthy experiments to government-grade surveillance, “cool tech” like Meta’s smart glasses is turning privacy into an endangered species.

Mullvad VPN Review: Fast and Secure With Advanced Privacy Features

Get the lowdown on this private, feature-packed VPN.

Abstract aerial city map with bold yellow, black, and white geometric patterns.

Secret Service Claims You Consented to Location Tracking

They think they don’t need a warrant for your data.