PlayStation policy against hate speech

Learn about the PlayStation® policy against hate speech and hateful conduct on PlayStation services.

PlayStation policy against hate speech

PlayStation encourages both inclusivity and individuality on our platform, both in-game and online. PlayStation is a community for players of all backgrounds to share fun gaming experiences. Players can express themselves and their views with one another, but hate speech and hateful conduct will not be tolerated. When you create an account, you agree to abide by the Community Code of Conduct which outlines how players should interact on PlayStation. Players can help ensure our community stays welcoming and inclusive by behaving appropriately and reporting misconduct to the PlayStation Safety team.

Community Code of Conduct
Terms of Service

There are no exceptions for using hateful language or slurs in any form on PlayStation services, even if the context is lighthearted, non-serious, or used as reappropriation. While players may think it’s appropriate to use profanity among friends or jokingly insult each other, there are consequences to posting offensive content or using offensive language on PlayStation services. The PlayStation Code of Conduct applies whether or not the hate speech is directed toward a specific player or audience.

What is hate speech?

Hate speech is a form of abuse defined as prejudice, hostility, or violence targeting a person or group of people, based on protected characteristics such as but not limited to: race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, and disability, familial, or veteran status.

Hate speech can take the form of threatening messages either textual or verbal, as well as discriminatory text, images or videos.

Examples of hate speech 

  • Using slurs, whether racial, ethnic, sexist, homophobic or ableist to address or insult other players.
  • Targeting anyone for their gender identity or expression.
  • Targeting or degrading women with misogynist language.
  • Insulting or calling names based on real-life and/or perceived mental, cognitive or physical ability.
  • Promoting hate groups and their ideologies by posting hate symbols/imagery.
  • Sharing memes that negatively stereotype a person or group’s protected characteristics.
  • Glorifying or condoning violence, brutality, or death toward a person or group.
  • Using a person’s personal characteristics to degrade them or negatively describe their gameplay.

How to report someone for hate speech 

We rely on members of our community to help keep the network safe from all varieties of player misconduct, including hate speech. If you encounter content or behavior that you believe breaches our Code of Conduct, you can report it to PlayStation Safety for the moderation team to review for potential enforcement action.

Report inappropriate behavior on PS5™ consoles
Report inappropriate content on PS4™ consoles

What happens if I am reported for hate speech? 

PlayStation Safety will take action against any form of reported content that we verify as hate speech. If your offense is determined to be hate speech, your account will be suspended from PlayStation services.

PlayStation Safety strictly enforces the Code of Conduct through moderation, which means that players can report hate speech or other inappropriate content for human staff to review. Our moderation team is composed of real people, who are cultural and language experts from all over the world, working around the clock to process reports. During the moderation process, if a player is found to have breached the Code of Conduct, they will receive consequences for their offense. Some offenses are considered more serious than others. The length of a suspension will depend on the offense, and whether you have breached the Code of Conduct in the past.

In repeated instances or for severe violations, a player may receive a permanent suspension on their accounts, or a suspension of their PlayStation console.

Need help? 

Contact our support specialists

Contact PlayStation Support