Device bricking
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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 consumers 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] |
- ↑ "What does a banned Switch 2 ACTUALLY mean?". YouTube. 2025-07-27. Archived from the original on 16 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
- ↑ "Nintendo Account User Agreement". Nintendo Official Site. 2025-08-20. Archived from the original on 2025-05-13. Retrieved 2025-08-20.