Square Enix Creates New Policy To Protect Employees From Toxic Fans

Author: Matthew Feb 01,2025

Square Enix Creates New Policy To Protect Employees From Toxic Fans

Square Enix Unveils Robust Anti-Harassment Policy to Protect Employees and Partners

Square Enix has proactively introduced a comprehensive anti-harassment policy designed to safeguard its employees and collaborators. This policy clearly defines unacceptable behavior, encompassing threats of violence, defamation, and other forms of harassment. The company asserts its right to deny services and pursue legal action against individuals engaging in such conduct.

The policy's implementation underscores a growing concern within the gaming industry regarding online harassment. High-profile incidents, such as death threats against actors and the cancellation of events due to threats of violence, highlight the need for stronger protective measures. Square Enix's proactive stance aims to prevent similar situations from impacting its workforce.

The detailed policy, available on the Square Enix website, explicitly outlines various forms of harassment, differentiating them from legitimate customer feedback. This includes, but isn't limited to: threats of violence, defamation, business obstruction, trespassing, persistent unwanted contact, discriminatory remarks, privacy violations, and sexual harassment.

Square Enix's response to harassment will range from service denial to legal action, depending on the severity and intent of the offense. The company is prepared to utilize legal avenues and involve law enforcement in cases of malicious intent.

This decisive action reflects a necessary response to the escalating issue of online harassment within the gaming community. Recent examples, including the targeted harassment of voice actors like Sena Bryer, and past incidents involving death threats against Square Enix staff, underscore the urgency of such policies. The company's history of facing threats, including those leading to arrests and event cancellations, further emphasizes the importance of this comprehensive approach to protecting its employees and maintaining a safe working environment.

Square Enix Anti-Harassment Policy Summary:

Harassment includes:

  • Acts of violence or violent threats
  • Abusive language, intimidation, coercion, stalking
  • Defamation, personal attacks (online or offline)
  • Persistent unwanted contact, trespassing
  • Unlawful restraint
  • Discriminatory behavior
  • Privacy infringement
  • Sexual harassment

Undue Demands include:

  • Unreasonable product changes or monetary demands
  • Unreasonable apology requests
  • Excessive service requests
  • Unreasonable demands for employee punishment

Square Enix's commitment to a safe and respectful environment for its employees and partners is evident in this robust policy.