Nintendo recently updated its privacy policy to confirm that the company may “collect, monitor, and record” audio and video of users’ chat sessions for the Switch 2’s new GameChat feature. Despite this being a common practice, it spooked some fans, and now Nintendo has offered a clarification.
A spokesperson for Nintendo told GameSpot that Nintendo may review recordings of audio and video chats from GameChat, but only in a situation where a conversation has been reported.
“If someone experiences communication in GameChat for Nintendo Switch 2 not in line with the Community Guidelines, they can report it using the built-in reporting feature,” Nintendo said.
The company also clarified that, apart from these scenarios, all recordings are “privately stored on device.” No person recordings are sent to Nintendo “until a report is submitted.”
Microsoft previously disclosed that it collects similar data, claiming that it stores this securely. PlayStation party sessions and voice chat are also recorded to some extent for safety and security. In 2014, it came to light from the Edward Snowden leaks that a British intelligence agency identified the Xbox’s Kinect camera as a potential surveillance tool, but there is no evidence that any spying was ever done this way.
GameChat is one of the Switch 2’s marquee new features. It allows groups of up to 12 people chat while playing games. They can share their screen with friends, and it doesn’t have to be the same game. Players can also use a USB-C camera to see friends in real time. The streaming video quality might not be great.
GameChat is free when the Switch 2 launches, but it’ll eventually be locked behind a paywall.
Nintendo previously discussed the many measures it’s undertaking to ensure young people are safe and protected while using GameChat.
The Switch 2 launches on June 5, and Nintendo is expecting to sell 15 million units in the current fiscal year. The console’s biggest launch title is Mario Kart World, which carries an $80 price tag.
