A few days ago Nintendo shut down their service SwapNote. Available since 2011, the feature allowed 3DS users to send pictures, photos and doodles to other 3DS users around the globe. Led by the mascot Nikki, SwapNote was designed to be a fun, adorable way of connecting with friends similar to SnapChat for iPhone but with more drawings.
Unfortunately, like SnapChat, people succeeded in exploiting SwapNote for pervy reasons. Specifically, child predators were using the system to receive naked pictures of young girls. Apparently this was not an isolated incident as there are several reports of grown men luring children to hotel rooms via SwapNote. Enough people were using the service for lewd behaviors the Nintendo decided to cancel it all together.
I can’t say I disagree with Nintendo’s decision. If a service is being used by child predators then that service shouldn’t exist. I think it’s absolutely shameful that a service like this, which was designed to be cutesy and fun, was being used for such a vile purpose. Unfortunately, that’s the world we live in. Without regulation, every technology gets exploited beyond it’s intended purpose (Chatroulette anyone?).
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s sad that Nintendo was forced to make this decision. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right decision to make. What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments.
