One of Switch 2’s new features is GameChat, a functionality focused on video or voice conversations with other players. But before you start chatting with friends via Switch 2, it’s important to understand how GameChat works from the point of view of privacy.
In a controversial update of the terms of use that caught the attention of Procon, Nintendo said, in relation to Gamechat, that interactions by video or voice could be recorded.
Now that Switch 2 is in the hands of many people, we can understand exactly what, when and how these conversations can be recorded.
Nintendo can store audio and video in cases of violation of community guidelines
Before starting GameChat for the first time, Switch 2 displays an alert to the user, who needs to consent to the terms displayed on the screen to continue using the functionality.
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But at first, it doesn’t seem that Nintendo is doing anything very absurd with user data.
Switch 2 temporarily stores conversation content on both your system and Switch 2 of friends who have talked to you. In certain cases, these images and audios can be sent to Nintendo.
This occurs when someone reports some violation in the Nintendo community guidelines. In this case, the user can review the final three minutes of the last three conversations to highlight at what specific time the violation occurred.
The complaint of violation of terms needs to be done within 24 hours of the event – which indicates that this data is stored only one day within the user devices.
After the complaint, Nintendo says it can share some information with third parties, including authorities, cuts, lawyers or employees that analyze the violations.
That is, Nintendo may send information related to conversations to the police, for example, in cases that it is determined.
Nintendo wants to protect especially children
The company says the goal is to “protect users from Gamechat, especially minors.” Remember that it is also possible to limit with those who children – who form a considerable portion of Nintendo’s audience – can talk about the feature.
The use of GameChat also requires indicating a telephone number – which needs to be the same linked to the user’s Nintendo account.
One of the main new features of Switch 2, GameChat is offered to all console users over a test period. From mid -2026, it will be exclusive to Nintendo Switch online service subscribers.