Square Enix implements new policy to protect employees from fan toxicity
Square Enix has shared its new Group Customer Harassment Policy, which is designed to protect and support its employees in cases of consumer harassment and abuse.
The details:
The policy, which is available on the company's website, states that situations in which "certain customers take actions directly or through our support centers, or towards our group executives, employees, partners who are involved in the creation and distribution of our group products and services" will be considered "customer harassment." These actions involve violence, defamation, intimidation, and harassment.
Square goes on to list examples of what it considers harassment, such as stalking, acts of violence, and abusive language directed at its employees, including support staff. The company states that if an individual engages in this behavior, it reserves the right to withhold services and products and will cooperate with its legal team or authorities as necessary.
While the Final Fantasy developer did not specify why the policy was implemented, it could be related to fans harassing developers, actors, and even content creators over in-game choices. Briana White, the voice of Aerith in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, took to X in December to ask "shippers" to calm down after seeing and likely receiving hateful messages about Cloud, Aerith, and Tifa's in-game relationships.
Final Fantasy XIV and XVI director Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) has also addressed the ongoing abuse that developers have faced over the years, urging players to be more polite after delays to FF14's Endwalker expansion resulted in hurtful comments. Last year, Yoshida also condemned hate messages directed at Sena Bryer, the voice actor for FF14 Dawntrail's Wuk Lamat, who had received numerous transphobic messages from players simply for playing her role.
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