A returning players awful experience (account locked)

Yes, using symbols, abbreviations, or alternate spellings of words is considered masked language. Using that is also against the rules in-game and on the forums

Posting here to get clarification on rules normally does not result in a forum suspension. It usually results in a Blue editing the posts and explaining the rules.

Forum actions do NOT impact in-game play. They are limited to the forum only. In-game penalties CAN limit forum posting though. It only goes one way.

For funsies, this is the 2004 TOS Text for WoW in the original agreement.

Transmit or post sexually explicit images or other content or language which in the sole discretion of Blizzard Entertainment is deemed to be offensive; nor shall you transmit any unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable content or language, nor may you use a misspelling or an alternative spelling to circumvent the content and language restrictions listed above;

People have been getting reported and actioned since then as well. They have made it easier to report, and stepped up enforcement, but the core rules have not changed really.

Edit to leave this here too because someone will bring it up. The Profanity Filter is there to protect kids and those who don’t wish to see others breaking the rules (mostly parents), not permission to break them.

Mature Language Filter (aka The Profanity Filter)

  • This can be activated within your Interface Options: Main menu (ESC key by default) Click Interface > Social and check - Mature Language Filter.

  • Once enabled, all inappropriate words in our profanity database will be filtered and masked to appear as jumbled characters, such as ‘*##@&’.

Note: The filter does not excuse the language used. The filter serves as a temporary shield, to help parents of minors and others who do not wish to see it, to block it. Our policies prohibit the use of both clear and masked inappropriate language.

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