Pokemon GO enthusiasts are expressing significant skepticism over Niantic’s recently revamped Terms of Service. The updated terms restrict all disputes between users and Niantic to be settled exclusively through the company’s own Informal Dispute Resolution system or via a private arbitration company, effectively stripping players of their right to sue Niantic in court or seek class action relief.
Recent months have been turbulent for the Pokemon GO community. Despite some exciting in-game events, players have largely been disappointed with recent updates. Now, Niantic’s latest move has added to the community’s concerns.
In a detailed post on the Pokemon GO subreddit, user DaringDani123 urged players to opt out of the new Terms of Service. According to DaringDani123, agreeing to these terms compels players to resolve disputes directly with Niantic through an “Informal Dispute Resolution” process. This process mandates that players send a notice via email or regular mail, after which a conference is scheduled to seek a settlement. If no resolution is achieved within 45 days, the dispute moves to binding arbitration handled by National Arbitration & Mediation, a shift from the previous American Arbitration Association.
The updated Terms of Service also require players to waive their constitutional and statutory rights to sue Niantic in court, and they cannot request a trial before a judge or jury. Furthermore, the terms prohibit any form of class or collective relief, meaning players must bring claims individually and cannot seek or receive collective compensation.
The good news is that players can choose to completely opt out of this agreement. However, there is a catch. After agreeing to the Terms of Service, users only have 30 days to opt out of the Private Arbitration Agreement. To do so, players must send a notice to termsofservice@nianticlabs.com stating their desire to opt out. This notice must be sent individually and include the user’s name, address, and the email address used to sign up for the Niantic account. Players have reported that opting out of the Arbitration Agreement does not affect the rest of the Terms of Service, and it does not impact their ability to play the game.
The new Terms of Service have sparked heated debates within the community, with many players questioning the fairness and transparency of Niantic’s dispute resolution methods. As the controversy continues to unfold, players are encouraged to carefully consider the implications of agreeing to these terms and to stay informed about their rights and options.
