Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates

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On May 8th, 2025, Nintendo released changes to the Nintendo Account User Agreement and Privacy Policy which has the potential to severely impact consumers. Highlights include restrictions on what content consumers can broadcast or post with Nintendo-published games under section 6, the reservation to "render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part" under section 13, and forced arbitration under Section 16.

Background

Nintendo has historically been known to be restrictive with how the company has enforced its policies; during the time the company has supported the Wii U, users attempting to share footage of their games were at risk of having said content taken down, later requiring consumers to join an affiliate program that claimed 30-40% of the video's revenue, and restricting content being made that would be critical of Nintendo or its IP.

The enforcement of these policies has also seen the closure of Tournaments, lawsuits against competing studios,the persistent war on emulation,and more. Due to how far Nintendo has historically aimed to enforce every extent of their policies, it is reasonable to expect these policy updates to be similarly enforced.

The updates

In early May, Nintendo published updates to the Nintendo Account User Agreement and Privacy Policy, these updates included significant changes over the rights consumers have both over the products they own, and their legal rights when attempting to sue the company.

Due to an error in the email systems of Nintendo, many consumers were informed several days after the terms were applicable, thus giving them no reasonable time to 'opt-out' of the changes via the only means of deleting their account, as was affirmed by the email.^{[citation needed]}

A transcript of the email:

We're writing to let you know that we've updated the Nintendo Account User Agreement and Nintendo Privacy Policy, If you or any users under your Nintendo Account continue to use any Nintendo Account Services, including by keeping your or their Nintendo Account open, then you affirm you agree to the updated Nintendo Account User Agreement and acknowledge you have read the updated Nintendo Privacy Policy on your and their behalf. If You do not agree to the changes, you must cancel your Nintendo Account immediately.

Nintendo Account User Agreement. The updates include important updates to how you and Nintendo will arbitrate disputes. See our What's changed? page for a summary of changes, but you should also review the full updated Nintendo Account User Agreement to ensure you understand your rights and obligations.

Nintendo Privacy Policy. The updates include important updates regarding the categories of information we may collect and how we might use your information. See our What's changed? page for a summary of changes, but you should also review the full updated Nintendo Privacy Policy to ensure you understand the policy.

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

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  Said email from Nintendo informing consumers of the changes

Details of the updated terms

This section will be added, and will cover sections 6, 13, 16, and potentially the privacy policy update surrounding recording video and audio interactions

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Nintendo's response

Editor's notice: A wiki member has contacted Nintendo and is currently awaiting a response, the email will be provided below in plaintext and in a screenshot so that users can accessibly read this email.

If applicable, add the proposed solution to the issues by the company.

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Consumer response

There has been significant consumer backlash over the changes of these terms, often leaving many to expect that Nintendo is attempting to reserve their right to 'brick' consoles owned by consumers as a measure of policy enforcement. It is additionally seen through major publications such as Eurogamer and Game File who've also been reporting the same details.

References

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