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A "[https://foundershield.com/insurance-terms/definition/bricking/#:~:text=Bricking%20is%20a%20term%20that,which%20renders%20the%20device%20useless. Bricked]" device is a device which has had its main functions rendered unusable, such a device is commonly refereed to as a brick. Companies reserve the right to remotely brick a consumers device if they attempt to do anything that [https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-revises-user-agreement-and-if-you-break-it-nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-switch#:~:text=You%20acknowledge%20that%20if%20you%20fail%20to%20comply%20with%20the%20foregoing%20restrictions%20Nintendo%20may%20render%20the%20Nintendo%20Account%20Services%20and/or%20the%20applicable%20Nintendo%20device%20permanently%20unusable%20in%20whole%20or%20in%20part.%22 goes against the terms of service the company sets] for their devices. A recent example of this can be seen from the release of the Switch 2 from [[Nintendo]].
A "[https://foundershield.com/insurance-terms/definition/bricking/#:~:text=Bricking%20is%20a%20term%20that,which%20renders%20the%20device%20useless. Bricked]" device is a device which has had its main functions rendered unusable, such a device is commonly refereed to as a brick. Companies reserve the right to remotely brick a consumers device if they attempt to do anything that [https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-revises-user-agreement-and-if-you-break-it-nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-switch#:~:text=You%20acknowledge%20that%20if%20you%20fail%20to%20comply%20with%20the%20foregoing%20restrictions%20Nintendo%20may%20render%20the%20Nintendo%20Account%20Services%20and/or%20the%20applicable%20Nintendo%20device%20permanently%20unusable%20in%20whole%20or%20in%20part.%22 goes against the terms of service the company sets] for their devices. A recent example of this can be seen from the release of the Switch 2 from [[Nintendo]].


A company may justify "Bricking" a consumers device for "safety concerns". With intent to discourage "[https://www.techopedia.com/definition/10649/homebrew Homebrewed]" devices (devices with unofficial, third-party or user-created modifications) from being created and to try preventing piracy and hacking. Usually with financial incentives.
A company may justify "bricking" a consumer's device for "safety concerns". With intent to discourage "[https://www.techopedia.com/definition/10649/homebrew Homebrewed]" devices (devices with unofficial, third-party or user-created modifications) from being created and to try preventing piracy and hacking. Usually with financial incentives.


Device bricking occurs commonly as a result of [[Planned obsolescence]], where a company's goal is to force the consumer to buy new and replace the old product, now rendered unusable.
Device bricking occurs commonly as a result of [[Planned obsolescence]], where a company's goal is to force the consumer to buy new and replace the old product, now rendered unusable.

Latest revision as of 00:59, 7 June 2026

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A "Bricked" device is a device which has had its main functions rendered unusable, such a device is commonly refereed to as a brick. Companies reserve the right to remotely brick a consumers device if they attempt to do anything that goes against the terms of service the company sets for their devices. A recent example of this can be seen from the release of the Switch 2 from Nintendo.

A company may justify "bricking" a consumer's device for "safety concerns". With intent to discourage "Homebrewed" devices (devices with unofficial, third-party or user-created modifications) from being created and to try preventing piracy and hacking. Usually with financial incentives.

Device bricking occurs commonly as a result of Planned obsolescence, where a company's goal is to force the consumer to buy new and replace the old product, now rendered unusable.

Recent cases of Device bricking

[edit | edit source]
Time of incident Company name Reason Effects Details
June 2025 - Ongoing Nintendo EULA violation All games not fully downloaded prior rendered unplayable[1], online features disabled In a May 2025 policy update, Nintendo stated they may "render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part."[2]
  1. "What does a banned Switch 2 ACTUALLY mean?". YouTube. 2025-07-27. Archived from the original on 16 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  2. "Nintendo Account User Agreement". Nintendo Official Site. 2025-08-20. Archived from the original on 2025-05-13. Retrieved 2025-08-20.