Epstein Files release: Microsoft permanently banned Jeffrey Epstein from Xbox Live

Another new batch of Epstein files was released by the DOJ on Friday, and this was a huge one. More than three million documents were included in the release related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Among the revelations hidden in the latest trove of Epstein files? Emails showed that Epstein was banned from Xbox Live by Microsoft.

On Thursday, December 19, 2013, Epstein received an official email from Microsoft to his [email protected] personal email address with the title "Xbox LIVE - Notification of Enforcement Action." Being barred from Xbox Live basically means Epstein's account would have been unable to play games online via his Xbox console.

The Microsoft email notified Epstein that his "Xbox Live account privileges have been permanently suspended." The email lists the reasons for suspension as "harassment, threats, and/or abuse of other players" and describes them as "determined to be severe, repeated, and/or excessive."

The email from Microsoft about Epstein's Xbox Live ban appears to be a default email that's sent to all users banned under this policy. It does not describe the actions of a specific user. However, the latest Epstein files release includes another follow-up email from Xbox Live sent later that same day, which provides more details about the ban. Microsoft banned Jeffrey Epstein from Xbox Live because Epstein was a registered sex offender. 

In 2012, Microsoft joined an initiative from the New York Attorney General to ban sex offenders from online platforms. According to the follow-up email from Xbox Live, this is the reason why it removed Epstein from the online gaming platform.

"This message is to notify you that Xbox LIVE has permanently suspended the Xbox LIVE account associated with this email address," reads the 2013 email. "This action is based on the New York Attorney General's partnership with Microsoft and other online gaming companies to remove New York-registered sex offenders from online gaming services to minimize the risk to others, particularly children."

Epstein became a registered sex offender in 2009 after serving a 13-month jail term for solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of prostitution with a minor under the age of 18. Another email released in the Epstein files appears to show that Epstein created his Xbox Live account in 2012, meaning it took roughly one year for Microsoft to take action to ban his account.

As The Verge points out, there are other emails from Epstein referring to Xbox, which make it unclear if Epstein was actively using the service or simply had an account in his name for another individual to use.