In a coordinated international crackdown, authorities have seized Nsw2u, a well-known piracy website that distributed illegal copies of Nintendo Switch games. The FBI led the operation, which was carried out under a warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The Dutch anti-fraud agency FIOD also played a key role in the takedown, showing the growing global cooperation to combat digital piracy.
Nsw2u’s Role in Distributing Switch ROMs
Nsw2u gained popularity by providing ROMs—digital copies of Nintendo Switch games—that users could play on modified consoles or through emulators on PCs. The site remained active until just hours before it went offline on July 10. Despite various anti-piracy efforts, users were still downloading games from the site shortly before the seizure. Earlier this year, Nsw2u was placed on the European Union’s piracy watchlist, signalling rising international concern over its activities.
Seizure Notice Posted on the Website
Visitors to the Nsw2u website are now greeted with a message stating: “This domain has been seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in accordance with a seizure warrant issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 2323… as part of a law enforcement operation and action by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.” The notice also confirms FIOD’s involvement, highlighting cross-border collaboration in the effort.
Nintendo’s Ongoing Fight Against Piracy
Nintendo has been active in fighting piracy for years. In 2023, the company took legal action against the developers of the Yuzu emulator, a tool that allows Switch games to run on PCs and other devices like the Steam Deck. Nintendo has also gone after smaller sites that share ROMs, as well as companies that make tools to bypass the Switch’s security features.
Following the release of its new Switch 2 console last month, Nintendo has introduced new measures to curb piracy. Reports suggest the company is banning users who use unauthorised storage devices from accessing online services. While these actions reflect Nintendo’s firm stance on piracy, they have sparked concerns. In Brazil, a legal complaint has been filed, questioning the impact of such bans on second-hand buyers who may not be aware of the devices’ past use.
Nintendo continues to push for strong penalties in piracy cases, including fines and jail time, as it tries to protect its games and hardware from being used without permission. The shutdown of Nsw2u marks another major step in this ongoing battle.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
