[{"content":{"text":"Greetings, Crewmates!<\/p>Patch 5 is live, and we\u2019re here to introduce you to one of its improved features: In-Game Reporting and Voice Chat Moderation. We know many of you who have joined the Open Beta have read a previous post on Patch 5, and we appreciate all players taking the time to read this update. It\u2019s a very important player safety integration, and we are pleased to finally bring this release to our entire community.<\/p>Today we are announcing that <\/u>Among Us VR<\/u><\/em> has implemented the ToxMod tool by Modulate, a leader in the fight against toxic online behavior, to the Live Build.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>This tool, alongside the newly added in-game Bullying\/Harassment reporting option, will improve our ability to moderate toxic behavior in voice chats, a new feature that will be helpful for the entire community. We\u2019ve been working hard on implementing it and are excited to finally get this into the full game.<\/p>More specifically, by utilizing ToxMod, we\u2019ll be targeting toxic behaviors like racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexually explicit language, harassment, predatory grooming, and excessively loud audio (i.e. disruptive screaming). This is all in an attempt to foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all beans to enjoy.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>We know: This is a lot to take in. What is ToxMod? Moderating voice chat? You\u2019re going to be listening in? Lots and lots of questions, and we hope to have all the answers for you.<\/p>To help with that, we\u2019ve prepared some answers for questions we\u2019re pretty confident you\u2019ll have. Additionally, we\u2019ll have a living and growing list of your questions available on our Discord server<\/a><\/u> available to you, if you don\u2019t find your question below!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><\/p>Okay. So\u2026 What IS ToxMod?<\/em><\/strong>ToxMod is a voice moderation tool, using artificial intelligence to monitor voice chats in both public and private lobbies. The tool\u2019s purpose is to flag when voice conversations get toxic, abusive, or otherwise cause harm to other players. This kind of harassment and bullying is not tolerated in Among Us VR<\/em> and violates the Among Us VR<\/em> Code of Conduct.<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>Once the ToxMod voice moderation tool notifies us of these harms, those toxic words are shared with our human moderation staff to review and take appropriate action with the potential bad actor. This could result in a temporary ban for the day all the way through to a permanent ban, depending on the severity and frequency of the behavior.<\/p>Because human language is complex and evaluating whether behavior is bannable can be tricky, please bear with us as we refine and adjust our ban flags and guidelines. This is an ongoing venture, and we'll continue to learn and adapt the tool to best suit the unique needs of the Among Us VR<\/em> community.<\/p>It\u2019s important to note that we're rolling this out to only support English at this time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><\/p>Wait. You\u2019re listening to all my audio now? What about my privacy?<\/em><\/strong>Your privacy is very<\/em> important to us, and we want to dispel any misconceptions that may be coming up about ToxMod\u2019s implementation. Modulate encrypts all data sent off-device and we never share your personal information with third parties. Only audio data flagged by ToxMod is shared with Schell Games for the purpose of investigating a potential ban. All audio data will be permanently deleted after 35 days.<\/p>If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. As always, you can submit a report<\/a><\/u> <\/strong>with your questions, concerns, and feedback. We also have Support Beans who may be able to assist directly on our Among Us VR <\/a><\/u><\/em>Discord server.<\/a><\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>More information is available about ToxMod\u2019s processes, the steps taken to ensure the protection of your data, and their specific player privacy considerations on Modulate\u2019s website here.<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p><\/p>What are you listening for? Am I going to be banned for swearing?<\/em><\/strong>We know that jump scares, accusations, and murderous language are all integral parts of being a Crewmate or Impostor in Among Us VR<\/em>. We know it\u2019s easy to get caught in the moment of deception, alarm, sabotage, or fleeing for your life \u2014 and we\u2019re not going to punish you for that.<\/em><\/p>To reiterate, we\u2019ll be targeting toxic behaviors like racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexually explicit language, harassment, predatory grooming, and excessively loud audio (i.e. disruptive screaming).\u00a0<\/p><\/p>What happens if I\u2019m banned? Can I make an appeal?<\/em><\/strong>If you think you have been banned in error and want to submit a Ban Appeal, you\u2019ll need to submit a report<\/a><\/u> <\/strong>with details (i.e. platform ID and details of the situation) so we can further investigate. At this time, we will only consider appeals for bans lasting more than three days. If your Ban Appeal expires in less than three days, we will be unable to take any action in regards to lifting your ban. Thank you for your understanding.\u00a0<\/p><\/p>Okay, great. But\u2026 Why are you implementing ToxMod, again?<\/em><\/strong>In implementing this partnership, now in the Live Build, we hope that this is a big first step towards a less-toxic environment in Among Us VR<\/em>. Using the ToxMod tool will allow us to take further action on unwanted behavior and bad players among us \u2014 see what we did there?<\/em> \u2014 helping us to prioritize the worst behavior quickly, and helping to ensure that we are using evidence to investigate player reports before banning a reported player. This tool gives our human moderation process important data to determine whether or not a ban is warranted and how to handle appeals. This is all to keep you as our top priority, Crewmates!<\/p>It\u2019s also important to note that at this time, we are currently consulting with legal experts on the moderation of players who may be under 13.\u00a0<\/p>"},"id":"5c54e4b2-90c2-489e-93fd-ad818efdf2ed","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/3Vf2LgS76us6Qv30"],"src":"","alt":"Mostly Polus Favorites' Hats","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"abe013a3-60cf-4ce6-8738-0ed9b4949dff","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"text":"In addition to In-Game Reporting and Voice Chat Moderation, we're also dropping 11 FREE \u2018Mostly Polus Favorites\u2019 Hats.<\/strong> \u2728<\/p>With Custom Lobby Settings now in full swing after Patch 4 (that\u2019s over 9 million setting options, beans!), we figured we\u2019d offer even MORE customization as we get closer to Polus Point!<\/p>We know you\u2019re excited to step your little bean feet on the chilly-lava vibes atmosphere of the new map. But, naturally, you\u2019ll need to be dressed appropriately first with these fresh new \u2018Mostly Polus Favorites\u2019 (aren\u2019t we getting better at naming things?) looks:<\/p>\ud83e\udea0 Clogged<\/p>\ud83e\udd73 PHat<\/p>\ud83d\udc8e Unique Specimin\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\u26c4 Snowmate\u00a0<\/p>\ud83e\udea8 Drill\u00a0<\/p>\ud83d\udea7 OHSACompliant\u00a0<\/p>\ud83e\udded ColdBrim\u00a0<\/p>\u26cf MinersSetback\u00a0<\/p>\ud83e\udd7d Safety Second\u00a0<\/p>\ud83c\udf0b Eruptive<\/p>\ud83d\udc0e HORSE HAT<\/p>Oh, and did we mention that it\u2019s completely free?!<\/em><\/p>Stay safe, stay customized, stay stylish, and most of all beans \u2026<\/p>Stay suspicious.<\/p>"},"id":"7573f849-7f33-417e-8c85-f72357d5b3ab","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"}]
