Nintendo Updates Privacy Policy: Switch 2 May Record Audio and Video Chats with Consent

The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch in less than a month, and it's important to be aware of some new features that might impact your privacy. Specifically, the console could use these features to record your audio and video chat sessions. Nintendo has clarified its intentions in the privacy policy section of its website, as noted by NintendoSoup. This recent change could affect how you use the Switch 2 at home or on the go, as Nintendo states it "may" use your information to "provide a safe and secure environment for certain of our services."

According to the "Your Content" section of their privacy policy, "Our services may allow you to create, upload or share content such as text, images, audio, video, your nickname and user icon, or other content that you create or is licensed to you." Additionally, Nintendo notes, "With your consent, and to enforce our terms, we may also monitor and record your video and audio interactions with other users. When you use any of our services that include these or other similar capabilities we may collect your content in accordance with our terms of use and this policy."

It's crucial to highlight that Nintendo mentions needing the user's consent to monitor and record video and audio, suggesting there will be an opt-in feature when setting up the Switch 2. As we approach the June 5 launch date, it's essential for fans to understand these updates, especially since the Switch 2 aims to enhance multiplayer communication options. A key part of this initiative is the new C button, which allows users to instantly start chatting with friends across Nintendo’s online network.

By pressing the C button, players can speak with friends using the microphone built into the Switch 2. Additionally, screen sharing is available for those wanting to recreate the couch co-op experience remotely, while video streaming is offered for users with the new camera accessory. Although the video quality may be relatively low, it still serves the purpose of broadcasting your face and possibly your surroundings to your friends.

Apart from enhanced graphics and mouse-like controls, voice and video chat are poised to be defining features of the Switch 2. Keeping Nintendo's updated privacy policy in mind will be crucial. For more details on the upcoming launch, you can explore why a popular Piranha Plant accessory is slightly cheaper than the standard camera, learn about how the system’s pre-order launch was handled, and read our interview with Nintendo’s Bill Trinen.