"Switch 2 Update: Audio and Video Monitoring with Consent"

The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch in less than a month, and it comes with new features that could potentially record your audio and video chat sessions. Nintendo has clarified its intentions in the privacy policy section of its website, as noted by NintendoSoup. This recent update could change how players use the Switch 2 both at home and on the go, as Nintendo states it "may" use your information to "provide a safe and secure environment for certain of our services."

According to the Your Content section of its privacy policy, "Our services may allow you to create, upload or share content such as text, images, audio, video, your nickname and user icon, or other content that you create or is licensed to you." Additionally, Nintendo mentions, "With your consent, and to enforce our terms, we may also monitor and record your video and audio interactions with other users. When you use any of our services that include these or other similar capabilities we may collect your content in accordance with our terms of use and this policy."

It's important to note Nintendo's emphasis on requiring user consent to monitor and record video and audio, suggesting that there will be an opt-in feature during the setup of the Switch 2. This is a crucial update for fans to be aware of as the launch date of June 5 for the Switch 2 approaches. The new console introduces several new features, with a particular emphasis on enhancing multiplayer communication options. A key component of this is the new C button, which enables instant voice chat with friends across Nintendo’s online network.

By pressing the C button, players can engage in conversations using the built-in microphone on the Switch 2. The system also supports screen sharing, allowing players to mimic the experience of couch co-op with friends who are not physically present, and video streaming for those who opt for the new camera accessory. While the video quality might not be the highest, it suffices for broadcasting your image and potentially your surroundings to friends.

Apart from enhanced graphics and mouse-like control options, the voice and video chat capabilities could be one of the defining features of the Switch 2. It's essential to consider Nintendo’s recent privacy policy changes when using these features. For more details on the upcoming launch, you can explore why a popular Piranha Plant accessory is slightly cheaper than the standard camera, how the system's pre-order launch was handled, and our interview with Nintendo’s Bill Trinen.