In a rather most controversial thing coming from China, Tencent, its global internet giant has revealed a new installation. The new feature is apparently to curb overplaying kids and teenagers by the use of a facial recognition system.
The program, called Midnight Patrol, will be in place from 10 PM to 8 AM to deduct kids, posing as adults.
“We will conduct a face screening for accounts registered with real names and that have played for a certain period of time at night, “Anyone who refuses or fails the face verification will be treated as a minor, and as outlined in the anti-addiction supervision of Tencent’s game health system, and kicked offline, said Tencent (via SixthTone).
The program will go live this Tuesday, where the data, linked to the public security system will scrape the people playing games online. Anyone found not in allegiance to this regulation will be immediately kicked out of the game.
Tencent will initially deploy the screening layer for over 60 popular games, including Honors of Kings & Game for Peace.
“Facial recognition is a welcome sign because real-name verifications cannot keep kids out of the games,” said Chen Lina, an accounting executive.
WeChat though is full of criticism from the Chinese gaming community, who are raising concerns on the growing limitations on internet users.
