In the UK, gamers have discovered a surprisingly simple method to bypass online age verification checks that are now mandated by law on various platforms. With just a video game, individuals are finding creative ways around these regulations.
Recently, an X user named Dany Sterkhov shared a breakthrough. On July 25, he revealed that he had successfully circumvented Discord’s age verification system using the photo mode in the video game, Death Stranding.
This discovery came just after the UK began enforcing the Online Safety Act, which aims to protect children from accessing explicit content or material that may lead to self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders. Companies that fail to comply with these new regulations face penalties as severe as 18 million pounds (approximately 21 million EUR) or 10% of their global revenue, whichever is higher. Platforms such as Bluesky, Discord, Grindr, Reddit, and X have all committed to implementing age verification systems, according to the UK media regulator, Ofcom.
Ofcom’s executive chief, Dame Melanie Dawes, emphasized this commitment, stating, “Prioritizing clicks and engagement over children’s online safety will no longer be tolerated in the UK. Our message to tech firms is clear – comply with age-checks and other protection measures set out in our Codes, or face the consequences of enforcement action from Ofcom.”
However, it seems that some of these age verification measures can be easily bypassed.
Media outlets like The Verge and PCGamer have confirmed that Sterkhov’s method works. Many companies delegate age verification to third-party platforms, which typically require users to upload a government-issued ID or submit personal photographs.
Discord utilizes a platform named k-ID for its age checks. According to The Verge’s Tom Warren, he simply pointed his phone’s camera at his monitor to scan the face of Sam Bridges, the protagonist of Death Stranding, using the game’s photo mode. The system did prompt him to open and close his mouth—a task made easy by the game itself.
Warren also managed to pass Reddit’s age verification, which relies on the Persona system, using the same approach. However, this trick did not work for Bluesky, which employs Yoti for its age checks.
Neither Discord nor Reddit provided immediate feedback regarding these developments when contacted by Gizmodo.
Interestingly, it wasn’t just gamers looking for ways around age verification systems. ProtonVPN reported a staggering 1,400 percent surge in sign-ups in the UK following the implementation of these checks. VPNs enable users to surf the internet as if they were in different locations, simplifying the evasion of the UK’s age restrictions.
In the United States, similar laws mandating age verification systems for adult websites are cropping up in nearly half of the states. Moreover, nine states have enacted regulations requiring parental consent or age verification for social media platforms.
Can age verification really be bypassed with video games? Yes, as evidenced by users successfully employing Death Stranding to fool age verification systems on platforms like Discord and Reddit.
What are the potential consequences for companies that fail to comply with age verification laws? They could face fines up to 18 million pounds (around 21 million EUR) or 10% of their global revenue, whichever figures higher, putting significant pressure on digital platforms.
What are the main reasons for implementing age verification? These measures are designed to shield children from inappropriate content, including pornography and other harmful material.
How are VPNs influencing the landscape of age verification in the UK? VPN services have seen a significant rise in usage, allowing users to access certain websites by masking their actual location, which helps them sidestep local restrictions.
In conclusion, while age verification laws are intended to protect minors, the innovative spirit of gamers illustrates that these measures can be circumvented easily. Stay informed on this evolving topic and explore more at Moyens I/O.