Recent Developments of TOS Actions Taken

[Melichoir]

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The black and white "If its not in game, its not evidence" view is something that is stemming from people proposing a scenario where you record a botter and use that to file the report, and SE saying that wont count that as evidence. Its an assumption that you recording someone else doing something that violates ToS wont count, then ALL outside recordings wont count. The issue here is the nuance in what is being recorded and by whom. You could call it poor phrasing by SE perhaps, but their position was just shorthand for "Dont expect us to ban people based ONLY on your personal recordings of other players." Theres very practical reasons for that standard.

However, if you report another player who had recorded THEMSELVES breaking and flaunting that break of the ToS, they would likely consider that. Consider it this way: are we gonna argue SE cant or wont ban you if you record yourself using hacks and bragging about it cause the recording is on Twitch and you werent caught in game doing it? I think we all realistically know the GMs will end your account over that and no one is gonna contest that. No one is gonna realistically argue "Nah, that didnt count cause GMs didnt catch it in game." The general consensus will be "You deserved to get banned for breaking the rules and being stupid enough to flaunt it."

It all boils down to what is being recorded and by whom. If youre recording yourself doing it and you are the source, Theyre gonna use that. If I link the GMs to your stream where you openly record and admit to doing these actions, that is far different than if I record you without your knowledge or full context of the scenario.

You more or less have the right of it though. If they dont self incriminate, they wont likely ban for it. However I think you jump the gun a bit by suggesting they wont even take a look. As I pointed out before, the evidence you submit from your own recordings will not trigger a ban, but it may trigger them to investigate and see if they can catch them in game doing it. If they cant catch them, then they will not ban.