Oprindeligt skrevet af GamingMook82:

Due to recent OSA steam has resorted to age verification via credit card only which IMO is stupid as not all adults want or need one! So may I suggest that everyone who has a steam account has access to the mobile app too, so why cant steam add the age verification like other companies have by using age verification via mobile using the camera? There are plenty of companies that do it like SaaS and Yoti to name a few? More people have mobile devices than credit cards!

I don't think that was on the list of acceptable uses
Also do you really want ANOTHER faceless megacorp collecting such personal data on ye?

Oprindeligt skrevet af Start_Running:

Oprindeligt skrevet af GamingMook82:

Due to recent OSA steam has resorted to age verification via credit card only which IMO is stupid as not all adults want or need one! So may I suggest that everyone who has a steam account has access to the mobile app too, so why cant steam add the age verification like other companies have by using age verification via mobile using the camera? There are plenty of companies that do it like SaaS and Yoti to name a few? More people have mobile devices than credit cards!

I don't think that was on the list of acceptable uses
Also do you really want ANOTHER faceless megacorp collecting such personal data on ye?

They're already doing it!
And the camera Age verification is instantly deleted (so they say).

Oprindeligt skrevet af GamingMook82:

Oprindeligt skrevet af Start_Running:

I don't think that was on the list of acceptable uses
Also do you really want ANOTHER faceless megacorp collecting such personal data on ye?

They're already doing it!
And the camera Age verification is instantly deleted (so they say).

so they say. What if a hacker has already compromised their system and his copying all images the moment they gt updated. I'd much rather not upload anything that cannot be changed if compromised

Oprindeligt skrevet af Supafly:

Oprindeligt skrevet af GamingMook82:

They're already doing it!
And the camera Age verification is instantly deleted (so they say).

so they say. What if a hacker has already compromised their system and his copying all images the moment they gt updated. I'd much rather not upload anything that cannot be changed if compromised

There are laws to hinder that. Plus how many hackers already have you data? Have you played any online game lately? https://www.eset.com/uk/about/newsroom/blog/11-massive-video-game-companies-recently-targeted-by-cybercriminals/

Valve isn't interested in collecting more personal data than it already is. They're in the business of selling PC games, not in selling your data. The only reason credit cards even work as age verification is because they're on the list of acceptable verification methods, and credit card info is something Valve collects anyway for payment reasons. The alternative is what happened to Germany. Those games are just completely unavailable over there.

Blame your government. Vote out the ones responsible.

Oprindeligt skrevet af Haruspex:

Valve isn't interested in collecting more personal data than it already is. They're in the business of selling PC games, not in selling your data. The only reason credit cards even work as age verification is because they're on the list of acceptable verification methods, and credit card info is something Valve collects anyway for payment reasons. The alternative is what happened to Germany. Those games are just completely unavailable over there.

Blame your government. Vote out the ones responsible.

Trust me, I do blame my government! And the sooner they're gone the better! Valve will sell more titles if its easier for adults to verify their age or they will be losing out. Facial age estimation is also an approved method. Here's the list of approved methods... https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/age-checks-for-online-safety--what-you-need-to-know-as-a-user

Oprindeligt skrevet af GamingMook82:

Facial age estimation is also an approved method. Here's the list of approved methods... https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/age-checks-for-online-safety--what-you-need-to-know-as-a-user

Right, I get that, but my point was that Valve isn't interested in implementing any further age verification above and beyond what they already do. The alternative is just no access for those countries. Germany's situation is evident that Valve would actually rather lose out on those potential sales than implement any further personal data collection. The UK represents only about 4.5% of Steam revenue, and a much smaller portion of that would be for adult games. They really won't be losing much.

I understand that it would be more convenient for UK Steam users if Valve just did what the UK government asks, but as evident, they don't appear to be interested. Don't hold your breath for face scans or ID checks on Steam any time soon. You'll sooner just lose access entirely.

Valve went the easiest route with Credit Card because they have the system already in place for payments.

As for via mobile anyone can stand in front of the camera, but that does not mean it is you.

Oprindeligt skrevet af GamingMook82:

Oprindeligt skrevet af Supafly:

so they say. What if a hacker has already compromised their system and his copying all images the moment they gt updated. I'd much rather not upload anything that cannot be changed if compromised

There are laws to hinder that. Plus how many hackers already have you data? Have you played any online game lately? https://www.eset.com/uk/about/newsroom/blog/11-massive-video-game-companies-recently-targeted-by-cybercriminals/

Laws? Not like companies haven't broken laws and used a persons private data to generate a profit before,.. Just a cost of business wen fines are lower than profits they make by breaking the law.

Haven't played online games for years, had I they still would not have a clue what I look like.

Edit, oh and while you said online games those hcks are no specific to online games. Regardless they will not know what I look like, Hackers wil know some stuff but nothing more than when PS got hacked back in PS3 days,

Oprindeligt skrevet af GamingMook82:

Oprindeligt skrevet af Haruspex:

Valve isn't interested in collecting more personal data than it already is. They're in the business of selling PC games, not in selling your data. The only reason credit cards even work as age verification is because they're on the list of acceptable verification methods, and credit card info is something Valve collects anyway for payment reasons. The alternative is what happened to Germany. Those games are just completely unavailable over there.

Blame your government. Vote out the ones responsible.

Trust me, I do blame my government! And the sooner they're gone the better! Valve will sell more titles if its easier for adults to verify their age or they will be losing out.

Germans have made the same arguments. So... either the loss or revenue isn't significant. Or it's acceptable to Valve for whatever reasons. Besides, who really believes a multi-billion dollar corporation doesn't understand the very basic arithmetic involved to generate the conclusion?

Oprindeligt skrevet af GamingMook82:

Facial age estimation is also an approved method. Here's the list of approved methods... https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/age-checks-for-online-safety--what-you-need-to-know-as-a-user

Not implementing any verification methods and restricting everyone to meet the requirements of the law is a valid implementation.

If other companies support more methods, buy games from them. Even if you're referring to non-gaming stores, Steam isn't the only PC game store.

Valve knows what its doing and is making informed decisions concerning their own business. They have some experience and data concerning how those decisions affect Germany and other countries. In short they understand the situation better than you. The problem may not be Valve's ignorance of the situation or decisions you don't agree with. It could be your ignorance of the situation and how much it actually impacts Valve to not implement (other) age verification. Overestimating consequences that don't agree with Valve's data might not make for a slam dunk argument.

Oprindeligt skrevet af GamingMook82:

So may I suggest that everyone who has a steam account has access to the mobile app too, so why cant steam add the age verification like other companies have by using age verification via mobile using the camera?

It's ineffective in hindering minors and Valve does not want to be held accountable for it.

For example: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ScAbRQpROaQ

Plus, people can sell such verification bypass as a third party service, which cannot be done with credit cards as they have to stay on the account on file.

Oprindeligt skrevet af Nx Machina:

Valve went the easiest route with Credit Card because they have the system already in place for payments.

As for via mobile anyone can stand in front of the camera, but that does not mean it is you.

Any minor can also use their parents credit card while they're not looking. As far as I understood it, Valve only requests authorization for a charge but don't actually capture it - i.e. you wouldn't see anything on a month's end transcript or such unless it specifically also shows authorized but uncollected charges. (Which is unlikely.)

Plenty of kids know the requisite info to use their parents' card(s) (with permission) as well, for actual occasional online purchases. Or because they're more tech-savvy than mom and dad and need to help them out with their online purchases. So the necessary credentials are not a road block at all.

Really, the fact that credit cards were considered to be a valid means of age verification is something of a joke, if you think about it.

or you can ban age and UK.
why do you ask to solve the problem by making more problems?

also ban safety, would be great.

Oprindeligt skrevet af Duwain the Oilpresser:

also ban safety, would be great.

It's easy to not get banned, just don't violate the rules.