About 23,000 Xbox Live users will power up their Xbox 360s only to see that their console is locked out from online gaming — they will be unable to access the Live service. This “grounding” is their punishment for the use of an exploit that allowed unauthorized access to the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta. Shame on you! Go to your room and think about what you’ve done.
Don’t worry though, they’re only grounded for a day.
It turns out that those with valid beta keys were able to hop on to another Xbox 360 and download the beta software for that console, permitting access to those who did not have a key. Microsoft has since fixed this exploit, but they wanted to send a message to prevent further abuse.
In an email posted on Xbox-scene, Microsoft sets the record straight:
“The current POR is to issue a 24-hour console lockout that will prevent these 23k users from using their consoles to sign in to LIVE. These users will also receive a message in the dash with an explanation as to why their console has been locked out for 24 hours for violating the LIVE TOU [Terms of Use] and a warning that more severe actions may be taken if they attempt a similar action in the future (console could be banned permanently, etc.).”
[Via Next-Gen]
