Nintendo suspends Swapnote service, users abusing photo sharing features

Nintendo has suspended service of its 3DS messaging app, Swapnote, according to a notice on the company's website, stating that some users, including minors, have been using the app with SpotPass to exchange offensive material.

"Nintendo has learned that some consumers, including minors, have been exchanging their friend codes on Internet bulletin boards and then using Swapnote (known as Nintendo Letter Box in other regions) to exchange offensive material," the statement reads. "Nintendo has been investigating ways of preventing this and determined it is best to stop the SpotPass feature of Swapnote because it allows direct exchange of photos and was actively misused."

The Swapnote and Special Notes services were suspended as of Oct. 31 at 7:00 p.m. PT in all regions were the service was live, barring the ability to send and receive notes using SpotPass. The company felt it was important to suspend the features due to the large number of minors who use the app, saying it wants "to provide a positive experience for all consumers and limit the risk of any inappropriate activity or misuse of a service."

According to Nintendo, it will endeavor to highlight the system's Parental Control features to more consumers.

Nintendo introduced photo sharing features to Swapnote when it updated the app in April. Along with the ability to filter notes by users and favorites, and other features, the update allowed users to attach photos and audio files to messages.