When people log in to a Nintendo 3DS system to chat with one another, they have only a few options to do so. One was SwapNote, a feature where they could pass along messages to one another, through their virtual Mii characters. However, they’ll need to find another option.
Before the weekend, Nintendo put a halt to the service, stating that it “has learned that some consumers, including minors, have been exchanging their friend codes on Internet bulletin boards and then using Swapnote to exchange offensive material.”
In the meantime, messages can still be sent via StreetPass, provided they’re in the same physical location. Otherwise, they’ll be out of luck.
“We are very sorry for any inconvenience to the many consumers who have been using this service responsibly; however, this decision was made considering the point that many minors also use this feature of Swapnote,” the company said in a statement. “Thank you for your understanding.”
No word yet what service Nintendo will introduce to replace Swapnote, or how the problems will be avoided in the future.
Source: Ars Technica
