Summary

• Square Enix has introduced a comprehensive anti-harassment policy to safeguard its employees and partners.
• The policy clearly defines harassment, including threats of violence, defamation, and other disruptive behaviors.
• Square Enix may deny services and pursue legal action against those who engage in harassment.

Square Enix has recently unveiled a robust anti-harassment policy designed to protect its employees and partners from harmful behavior. The policy explicitly outlines what Square Enix deems as harassment and details the company's response to such incidents involving its customers.

In today's interconnected world, the gaming industry frequently faces threats and harassment. Notable instances include death threats directed at the actress who portrayed Abby in The Last of Us 2, and Nintendo canceling a live event due to threats from a so-called Splatoon fan. Square Enix is now taking proactive measures to shield its staff from similar threats.

The policy, available on the Square Enix website, emphasizes the company's commitment to protecting everyone from support staff to executives. While Square Enix values feedback from its fans and customers, it firmly states that harassment is unacceptable. The policy provides a clear definition of harassment, including acts such as threats of violence, defamation, business obstruction, and trespassing. Should such behavior occur, Square Enix reserves the right to deny services to the offending individuals and may take legal action or involve law enforcement in cases of "malicious intent."

Square Enix Anti-Harassment Policy

Harassment:

• Acts of violence or violent behavior
• Abusive language, intimidation, coercion, duress, excessive pursuit or reprimand
• Defamation/slander, denial of personality, personal attacks (via email, contact forms, comments, or internet posts), notices of wrongdoing, or business obstruction
• Persistent inquiries or repeated visits
• Trespassing by visiting or staying in offices or related facilities without permission
• Unlawful restraint through telephone calls and online inquiries
• Discriminatory speech and conduct regarding race, ethnicity, religion, family origin, occupation, etc.
• Infringement of privacy by unauthorized photography or video recording
• Sexual harassment, stalking, repeated stalking behavior

Undue Demand:

• Unreasonable requests for product changes, exchanges, or monetary compensation
• Unreasonable demands for apologies or responses, including specific requests for face-to-face interactions or apologies from employees or partners
• Excessive requests for products and services beyond socially accepted norms
• Unreasonable and excessive demands for punishment of employees

The necessity of such policies has become increasingly evident in the gaming industry. Harassment has ranged from threatening messages to voice actors and performers, such as Sena Bryer, the voice actor for Wuk Lamat in Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail, who faced backlash due to her gender identity. Square Enix itself has experienced severe threats, including multiple death threats against its staff in 2018, leading to an arrest in 2019 over gacha mechanics, and the cancellation of a tournament in 2019 due to similar threats.