猿大侠·2025-08-04 04:12Core Viewpoint - The recent controversy surrounding NetEase's game account deletion policy has sparked significant backlash from players, who feel that the automatic deletion of accounts after one year of inactivity is unfair and constitutes a violation of their rights [1][2][3]. Group 1: Account Deletion Policy - NetEase's service agreement states that if a user does not log in for 365 consecutive days, the platform reserves the right to delete the account and all associated game data [2]. - This clause was first introduced in the updated agreement in November 2022 [2]. - Many players reported not receiving any notification regarding the deletion, and customer service responses were vague, further aggravating player dissatisfaction [3]. Group 2: Player Sentiment - Players expressed strong emotional responses, highlighting that their accounts contain years of memories and real monetary investments, equating the deletion to losing personal property without notice [4]. - Some players argued that even if they stop playing, it does not mean they relinquish their rights to their accounts [4]. Group 3: Legal Perspectives - Legal experts suggest that if game companies fail to provide reasonable notification or set unreasonable deletion timelines, such clauses could be deemed invalid and infringe on users' property rights [5]. - Courts have recognized game accounts as "virtual property," which includes not only usage rights but also certain ownership and disposal rights, especially concerning monetary investments made by players [5][6]. Group 4: Industry Comparisons - NetEase maintains that users do not own their accounts but have "limited usage rights," allowing the platform to enforce the deletion policy [6]. - In contrast, other major gaming platforms like Steam and Epic do not delete accounts or purchased content due to inactivity, indicating a different approach to user rights [6]. Group 5: Regulatory Context - Starting January 2025, California's digital goods protection law AB 2426 will require platforms to clarify that users receive "licenses" rather than ownership, aiming to prevent consumer deception [9]. - Despite this, the law does not authorize platforms to revoke user content without notification [9]. Group 6: Emotional and Ethical Considerations - Players desire to retain their accounts even if they are not actively playing, emphasizing the emotional and financial investments involved [10]. - There are calls for platforms to provide notifications, grace periods, and data backup mechanisms before account deletion, highlighting the need for more humane and transparent communication from companies [10][11].