Age Verification System for Steam

[Panthear]

Unfortunately most adult/mature content is still blocked in the German store. However, it is not illegal for a German adult to buy these goods. The only requirement is to restrict minors to access the content.

https://www.kjm-online.de/en/supervision/technical-protection-of-minors-in-the-media

On TV for example this content is simply allowed, when access is between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. without any additional requirement.

https://www.kjm-online.de/en/supervision/technical-protection-of-minors-in-the-media/offerings-impairing-development

So a simple solution for Steam would be to block the sites of the game during normal hours and allow access to the store site and the ability to buy them from 11 p.m. till 6 a.m!

Additionally, it can be fully accessible, with a qualified age check. Multiple solutions exists for this (lot's of online gaming companies have implemented these checks during last year!). A complete list of certified solutions as well as technical criteria for your own solution can be found on the same page (unfortunately in German).

https://www.kjm-online.de/aufsicht/technischer-jugendmedienschutz/unzulaessige-angebote/altersverifikationssysteme

Can Steam please simply provide a solution for an age check, or at least make it possible to buy the games between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. ?

I mean if online gaming companies can, then why not Steam?

Just to clarify: The German youth protection law mandates restrictions (to protect minors), however the games itself are not illegal and it is legal for adults to buy games without a USK rating!

[Crazy Tiger]

There have been quite some threads about this. But it doesn't seem Valve is really interested in trying to find a solution other than the one currently implemented (not offering such games in Germany).

[Panthear]

I know... I have done a little bit of research before. I also contacted support and essentially got the same answer "we are investigating" as others last year. I just tried to come up with a little bit more information for Valve as well, maybe the 11 to 6 idea could be a possible and easier workaround then implementing an age verification system.

I just thought the more people ask and comment, the more Valve sees that there is a valid market. In Germany we have a saying "Steter Tropfen hölt den Stein" ;)

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by Panthear:

In Germany we have a saying "Steter Tropfen hölt den Stein" ;)

Unfortunately dripping water has no effect on steam, or Steam for that matter.

I would like to think that if it were an easy task for Valve to implement, it would have done so by now. Valve really only limits products based on governmental policy and restrictions. If it were really up to them, they'd open the doors wide to everyone.

[Tito Shivan]

They said they were 'working on it', guess Valve time applies there too.

[Panthear]

Originally posted by Tito Shivan:

They said they were 'working on it', guess Valve time applies there too.

You mean like Half Life 3 timing ?

[Brian9824]

Just because that solution works for TV doesn't mean its remotely workable for gaming. I mean you can't walk into a store and buy alcohol between 11pm and 6am without an ID can you?

The 11-6 rule is just because they don't want kids flipping thru the TV channel to be able to see it. Doesn't really apply to games at all.

[Pocahawtness]

I suspect Valve won't care until a government forces them to care.
Steam seems to go under the radar in many countries. My countries current government has become concerned with "keeping children safe" on the internet ( to which my response is well keep them OFF the internet then! ) but surprisingly they have not seem to notice Steam or the fact that there isn't really any age verification on Steam.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by 🤪 Pocahawtness:

I suspect Valve won't care until a government forces them to care.

The government isn't going to force them, they required more strict protocols for selling adult games then basically every country in the world and steam complied by not selling the game.

Originally posted by 🤪 Pocahawtness:

Steam seems to go under the radar in many countries. My countries current government has become concerned with "keeping children safe" on the internet ( to which my response is well keep them OFF the internet then! ) but surprisingly they have not seem to notice Steam or the fact that there isn't really any age verification on Steam.

Which means your government doesn't have any laws regulating it that it applies to steam

[Start_Running]

Originally posted by 🤪 Pocahawtness:

I suspect Valve won't care until a government forces them to care.

Oh that's just it. In those cases it's easier for Valve to just..not sell the games there
See Germany.

Steam seems to go under the radar in many countries. My countries current government has become concerned with "keeping children safe" on the internet ( to which my response is well keep them OFF the internet then! ) but surprisingly they have not seem to notice Steam or the fact that there isn't really any age verification on Steam. [/quote]

There's no real way to do that unless your country has gone full China on the state control and surveilence.

ANythuing less runs into what I've heard described as the oracle problem. How do you know the person feeding you the info is the person to whom the info belongs

[Pocahawtness]

Originally posted by brian9824:

The government isn't going to force them, they required more strict protocols for selling adult games then basically every country in the world and steam complied by not selling the game.

Which means your government doesn't have any laws regulating it that it applies to steam

Well that's possible, and honestly I think it would be a good thing. I don't think adult games should be sold on the same platform.

No they don't have any regulations YET. They are naive and incompetent when it comes to the internet, but they are trying to implement regulations. Sooner or later they might notice Steam. I actually don't care. As I said above I don't think adult games should be sold on the same platform. But then my opinion has little to do with it. Who knows what the politicians will think or do.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by 🤪 Pocahawtness:

Originally posted by brian9824:

The government isn't going to force them, they required more strict protocols for selling adult games then basically every country in the world and steam complied by not selling the game.

Which means your government doesn't have any laws regulating it that it applies to steam

Well that's possible, and honestly I think it would be a good thing. I don't think adult games should be sold on the same platform.

No they don't have any regulations YET. They are naive and incompetent when it comes to the internet, but they are trying to implement regulations. Sooner or later they might notice Steam. I actually don't care. As I said above I don't think adult games should be sold on the same platform. But then my opinion has little to do with it. Who knows what the politicians will think or do.

Yep, if they pass any regulation then Steam will have to weigh if its worth complying by just not selling the games or by instituting a standard that meets their approval. Sometimes the best solution is to just not participate in that market for a business.

[Panthear]

The reson we have the problem in Germany (not under the Radar), because someone complained, and there were screenshots on a product page not suitable for minors... which started all of this, which resulted in blocking games in Germany. But again: Not because it is not allowed, but because the simple check box for hiding adult games is not sufficient to protect minors... :(

[KalGimpa]

Originally posted by 🤪 Pocahawtness:

..with "keeping children safe" on the internet ( to which my response is well keep them OFF the internet then! )

yup. pretty much my take, as well. if you cannot say no to a kid, you have no business being a parent. my kids were allowed an hour of computer time outside of schoolwork and an hour of game time. they could work for more, if they wanted. i knew what they were doing because they were not allowed to have a computer that i could not access.

no doubt they found ways to get around these, like we all did as kids, but they got in trouble if caught.
my son's mom bought him a smart phone when he turned 12. asked i wanted to help pay. i told her that i had already offered him a pay as you go phone for emergencies and had no intention of getting him a smart phone so young. next month she asked me to help pay for the 300 bucks he spent on a game.

nope

[Pocahawtness]

Originally posted by Panthear:

The reson we have the problem in Germany (not under the Radar), because someone complained, and there were screenshots on a product page not suitable for minors... which started all of this, which resulted in blocking games in Germany. But again: Not because it is not allowed, but because the simple check box for hiding adult games is not sufficient to protect minors... :(

I think at some point it will be the same in other countries. All it needs is a bit of media attention.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by 🤪 Pocahawtness:

Originally posted by Panthear:

The reson we have the problem in Germany (not under the Radar), because someone complained, and there were screenshots on a product page not suitable for minors... which started all of this, which resulted in blocking games in Germany. But again: Not because it is not allowed, but because the simple check box for hiding adult games is not sufficient to protect minors... :(

I think at some point it will be the same in other countries. All it needs is a bit of media attention.

Most countries don't make the company police your children, its expected that its the parent's responsibility.