Chinese Gaming Firms Vow Self-Regulation, Possible Use of Facial Recognition Amid Crackdown on Teen Addiction

China has expressed strong concern over growing video game addiction among its youth.

By Reuters | Updated: 24 September 2021 13:48 IST

Chinese Gaming Firms Vow Self-Regulation, Possible Use of Facial Recognition Amid Crackdown on Teen Addiction

Tencent in July rolled out a facial recognition function dubbed "midnight patrol"

Highlights

The companies also pledged to crack down on content
The rules also undermine the big business of esports in China
China is the world's biggest esports market with over 5,000 teams

Over 200 Chinese gaming companies have pledged to regulate their industry to combat gaming addiction, including through the possible use of facial recognition to identify minors, a state-backed gaming association said on Friday.

The statement, published by the CGIGC gaming association, which is affiliated to the online game publishing regulator National Press and Publication (NPPA), on its official WeChat account, was signed by 213 companies including Tencent and NetEase.

China has expressed strong concern over growing video game addiction among its youth and the NPPA last month published new rules that forbid under-18s from playing video games for more than three hours a week. Companies and investors worry more actions against the industry could be in store.

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The companies also pledged to crack down on content that distort history or promote "effeminate" behaviour and will also work to prevent breaches of these rules, such as the use of foreign gaming platforms, the CGIGC said.

Tencent in July rolled out a facial recognition function dubbed "midnight patrol" that parents can switch on to prevent children from using adult logins to get around the government curfew.

Tencent Will Now Use Facial Recognition to Identify Underage Gamers in China

© Thomson Reuters 2021

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