Chinese software giant Tencent is following government recommendations on video games to the letter. And even more: the company now offers facial recognition to check the identity of players at night.
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The regulations on video games are strict in China. It officially prevents people under 18 from gambling online between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., in an effort to reduce addiction. A regulation obviously followed by the giants of the sector, such as Tencent, the largest technology company in China. The company is also stepping up its measures, as announced on Wednesday July 7 in a Press release. From now on, Tencent will require all players to confirm their identity via a facial recognition algorithm, when playing at night.
Specifically, if people over 18 try to play a game after 10 p.m. or before 8 a.m., they will have to go through a facial recognition check, using the phone’s camera to verify their identity and age. This measure aims to prevent young people from too easily circumventing the ban on gambling during the defined time slot, by using an adult’s account.
The feature has already been activated in around 60 of the company’s mobile titles, including its famous Honor of Kings. Many other titles should be equipped with this biometric control in the weeks and months to come. This is just the latest measure for young Chinese players. Regulations already impose the use of the real name to log in, time limits for PC and mobile games for minors, as well as spending limits.
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