NEW YOK (AP) -- New York state sex offenders are being shut out of online gaming systems that have allowed them to interact with children.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Thursday that gaming companies have joined with the state to shut down or limit more than 3,500 accounts held by sex offenders.

The state's registered sex offenders are required to register all their email addresses and online accounts with the state.

Companies including Microsoft, Apple and Electronic Arts partnered with Schneiderman's office to either shut down offenders' accounts or suspend their communication privileges.

Many games allow players to talk anonymously online.

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