Nintendo Will No Longer Enable Auto-Renewal Of Switch Online Subscription By Default In The UK

Following an investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Nintendo has agreed to no longer enable auto-renewal by default for Switch Online subscription services in the UK.

Previously, whenever someone purchases a Switch Online subscription, they will automatically be signed up for auto-renewal when their subscription expires. Under this new agreement, new subscribers will have to enable auto-renewal manually instead. Alongside Nintendo, Sony will be making a similar adjustment to their PS Plus service, having also been the target of the CMA’s investigation.

In a statement published via Gamesindustry.biz, CMA executive director of enforcement Michael Grenfell had this to say about the investigation:

“As a result of our investigations, a number of changes have been made across this sector to protect customers and help tackle concerns about auto-renewing subscriptions. Today’s announcement therefore concludes our investigations into the online video gaming sector. Companies in other sectors which offer subscriptions that auto-renew should review their practices to ensure they comply with consumer protection law.”

In a separate statement issued to The Verge, Nintendo clarified that the disabling of auto-renewal only applies to the “Nintendo eShop and on the Nintendo website in all countries and regions that are operated by Nintendo of Europe.”. At the time of this writing, it is not clear whether the change will eventually be applied outside of the UK.

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