After gaming for seven years, a PlayStation user living in Saudi Arabia named Jihad Khalid Almofaddawas banned from using his real name on the gaming network, where he played under the username iJihad.
Its True people! If a SONY employee feels like BANNING you, you loose access to your Digital Assets! Even Offline!!! pic.twitter.com/SniJpr6m8q
— جهاد (@iJihad) June 27, 2016
Almofadda posted about the ban on Reddit, which gained a lot of traction. He then received an emailfrom Sony explaining that he had been banned because his username was deemed to be inappropriate.
Almofadda was no longer able to access his account, games and online services.
Sony then offered him a PSN username change, however after reviewing his list of new usernames, Sony revoked the offer, keeping the ban in place as his current username was “offensive” and provoked “hate speech.”
Almofadda then took the case to PlayStation UK, which restored his account with a new username
Contacted by @PlayStationUK, They apologised that the only solution is to do a rename! Sadly I can't keep my name. pic.twitter.com/qKFQtsWea8
— جهاد (@iJihad) June 27, 2016
However, this came with a few costs. Almofadda says his friends are deleted, he has lost social features, and he has lost trophies.
Sad thing now no friends, no trophies, no social interactions, no compensation.@PlayStationUKhttps://t.co/m7vmqHCR8Y
— جهاد (@iJihad) June 27, 2016
Any gamer out there knows how essential an account is when it comes to internet-connected games. Losing your account can delete any progress you have made and may also invalidate all digital purchases made under the account.
Although Jihad is one of the most common Arab names, not just among Muslims but also for Christians, the name has been attached to the term “jihadists” in recent years, causing uproar in all the wrong places.
Hey @PlayStation forgot to ban 9800 PSN with the same ID as @iJihad ..Unban iJihad or refund him his money #disgrace pic.twitter.com/CpsXZjGtcT
— -Dhafer (@Dhaferr_) June 27, 2016
The online community couldn’t keep quiet about the absurdity of the situation, coming to Almofadda’s defense.
Hey, @PlayStation. Do everybody a favor & don't ban people because someone didn't understand Arabs have names. https://t.co/f0zyvexskw
— Rami Ismail (@tha_rami) June 27, 2016
@PlayStation looking real bad here. Come on, you guys, you're better than that. https://t.co/EHoy05YyMe
— Naydie (@Naydie) June 27, 2016
This dude's real name is "Jihad" according to the reports, and Sony banned him for using it as his PSN. pic.twitter.com/ugnetfX353
— Baf0 @ TGU17 (@notBaf0) June 28, 2016