Gamers bypass UK's Online Safety Act age checks

Video game enthusiasts are leveraging 'Death Stranding' to bypass age restrictions.

Gamers find creative workaround for the UK's Online Safety Act

The UK's Online Safety Act requires social media platforms to verify the age of users, especially for accessing adult content. To comply, many platforms have arranged stringent age verification methods, including ID verifications and facial recognition. Users, however, are exploiting video games like Death Stranding 2, which has a highly realistic photo mode, to bypass these systems. By manipulating the game's character, Sam Bridges, players can mimic facial expressions that fool verification tools. This method has tricked platforms like Discord and Reddit but does not work on Bluesky, which utilizes a different verification method. Concerns rise that age verification could push younger users toward more dangerous areas of the internet.

The emergence of this workaround highlights a growing tension between regulatory intentions and the innovative spirit of gamers. While the Online Safety Act aims to protect users, it inadvertently leads some to circumvent these safeguards, potentially exposing minors to even greater risks online. Observers suggest that instead of achieving safety, such regulations might encourage evasive behavior. Riana Pfefferkorn from Stanford University emphasizes that age verification can limit access to essential health information, showcasing the fine line between protection and censorship.

Highlights

The impact of these regulations on internet culture continues to unfold as new loopholes are discovered.