A state-backed gaming group said on Friday that over 200 Chinese gaming businesses have agreed to regulate their industry to prevent gaming addiction, including the possible use of face recognition to identify minors.
The statement was signed by 213 organizations, including Tencent Holdings (0700. HK) and NetEase, and was published on the official WeChat account of the CGIGC gaming association, which is linked with the online game publishing regulator National Press and Publication (NPPA).
China has expressed serious concern over rising video game addiction among its kids, and the National People’s Congress (NPPA) released new laws last month prohibiting children under the age of 18 from playing video games for more than three hours each week. Companies and investors are concerned that more actions against the industry are on the way.
According to the CGIGC, the firms also agreed to crack down on content that distorts history or promotes “effeminate” behavior, as well as try to avoid violations of the rules, such as the use of foreign gaming platforms.
Tencent launched a facial recognition feature called “midnight patrol” in July, which parents may turn on to prevent their children from using adult logins to circumvent the government’s curfew.
