Nintendo Switch Update Automatically Shares User Data Without Permission: Here's How to Turn It Off

Urian B., Tech Times 03 December 2020, 06:12 am

A Redditor has recently discovered that Nintendo has now been repeatedly opting users back into the whole data gathering scheme via Google Analytics with their use of the Nintendo Switch software updates. All of the three consoles as well as other AAA video games have certain online components that are now asking its users if they can send their data back towards the mothership for further analysis towards a better user experience.

Nintendo collects user data

According to an article by ScreenRant, the effects as to whether or not this is harmful is currently debatable and it now comes along with several improvements made to the console's own screenshot capabilities. There are still a few, however, that would not like their data to be shared. Unfortunately, privacy has been something that is hard to pull off as the years progress.

Reddit user coors_girth had made the shocking discovery that Nintendo had switched its data gathering option back to default along with its 11.0 update. This is now the second time that the internet has noticed this specific change. The first occurrence actually happened some time last month on the exact same board. Those that had switched the main feature off for the very first time around are now finding that Nintendo has still opted them back on.

Nintendo 11.0 update

This is done without the users' preference as turning the data sharing on comes automatically along with the 11.0 update. The article suggests that this might definitely become an issue if Nintendo intends to change the setting for users whenever they proceed to download the new update.

As of the moment, users who would prefer keeping their Google Analytics profile still as empty as possible, they would have to frequently keep on checking it. Another article by HardcoreGamer gives a walkthrough for players to be able to disable the use of their data via the Nintendo Switch.

How to disable Nintendo Google Analytics

First step: Open the user account through the icon found on the upper left corner of the Nintendo screen.
Second step: Scroll all the way down to the "Nintendo eShop Settings"
Third step: Highlight the user name
Fourth step: Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and look for the "Google Analytics Preferences"
Fifth step: Click on the option to "Don't share"

The use of Google Analytics helps Nintendo with their marketing strategy of selling more products to their users. Although the intent is to support their very own marketing strategy, the collection of data by Nintendo is done without the users knowing especially if they did not check the option after the update. The automatic switch can be seen as a way of Nintendo to collect data since it is the responsibility of users to turn this feature off should they not want to share their information.

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Written by Urian Buenconsejo