Valve will now require Steam developers to use SMS verification. Starting Tuesday, October 24, developers will need a phone number associated with their account before publishing new versions of their game or adding new users to the account.
"As part of a security update," wrote Valve, "any Steamworks account setting builds live on the default/public branch of a released app will need to have a phone number associated with their account, so that Steam can text you a confirmation code before continuing.
"This change will go live on October 24, 2023, so be sure to add a phone number to your account now."
Read the full story over at Game Developer.
Earlier this year, the ESRB filed a proposal to the FTC for using facial recognition. Known as the Privacy-Protective Facial Age Estimation, it aims to help verify that anyone buying mature-rated games is a legal adult.
Under the proposal, an individual would take a picture and submit it for verification, after which the photo would be immediately deleted. It's meant to benefit adults and legal guardians, particularly those without a government ID.
EXCUSE ME???
