How Valve should implement the ID Verification System...

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xBCxRangers 31 Jul @ 7:38am

I'm sure there are many techies who know all the different ways this should be implemented.

But it would seem to me, in laymans terms, and on a post many would understand, that if we already have an active account, and ID Number box should be provided on the very pages we already have to enter our birthdates.

You know, the boxes we enter born Apr 1911,

That box upon entering the DL or ID number would then access the forum.

Same with buying games. Games rated 17 or older, would need an ID Number as well as the Credit Card Number ( a credit card is not a valid form of ID).

In all cases, like we can remove our credit card information from being stored, we can remove the option of our ID being stored.

In the case of the Steam Discussions, Off Topic, Suggestions, all except Help and Tips, and Hardware Operating questions, ID Numbers would have to be provided for access.

I am quite confident, if this is implemented correctly, and Moderators of such hubs are vetted to moderate such hubs, Section 15 of the Rules would go away, and the Pay Processors content.

Any suggestions on how this can be implemented as fair and painless as possible for we ADULTS, please add your suggestions below.

Sincerely,

Your fellow poster, and buddy,

Ranger

Last edited by xBCxRangers; 31 Jul @ 7:45am

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Showing 1-15 of 60 comments

Thermal Lance 31 Jul @ 7:42am

The day Valve will ask for my ID. Is the day I stopped using the service. No existing online database got my IDs outside from my government and I want it to remain that way. Identity theft is no joke and I don't trust Valve to be able to keep this information secure even for verification purpose.

xBCxRangers 31 Jul @ 7:49am

Originally posted by Thermal Lance:
The day Valve will ask for my ID. Is the day I stopped using the service. No existing online database got my IDs outside from my government and I want it to remain that way. Identity theft is no joke and I don't trust Valve to be able to keep this information secure even for verification purpose.

I understand your position. I too may have a valid reason, for not to trust Steam even with my credit card information. Let alone ID.

And i do think we will see "some" drop off' of Steam users when these ID verification are put in place.

But i think if they make this as painless as possible, the dropoff won't be as much.

People tend to blame the Government, Activists, or the Banks, not Steam.

And given the mass Steam fandom, i think most by far will hold their nose and do it.

Thank you for your comment.

xBCxRangers 31 Jul @ 7:54am

And i think it's important to emphasize this. There is no place to go.

I'm huge in telling folks "just buy a console". Nope. They're doing it too.

You Tube is apparently doing it.

They all are, and so it is either quit games altogether, or find a painless way to implement this procedure.

Boblin the Goblin 31 Jul @ 8:02am

Oh, this is just a long post still thinking moderators of game hubs are children. That makes sense.

mldb88 31 Jul @ 8:06am

Thankfully Valve doesn’t implement features on the basis of certain users gross misunderstandings of how things actually work, or fearmongering conspiracies.

BJWyler 31 Jul @ 8:07am

And where would these ID numbers come from, and how would Valve determine their authenticity?

Last edited by BJWyler; 31 Jul @ 8:07am

Thermal Lance 31 Jul @ 8:07am

The only way I'd ever consider giving Valve my ID. And that's me being extremely generous here because I doubt i'd still do it.

If Valve DESTROYS those information within 24 hours. Once they approved the ID and I got my flag turned on. I want them to destroy that information. Not store it in a "secure" database. Destroy it.

xBCxRangers 31 Jul @ 8:09am

Originally posted by BJWyler:
And where would these ID numbers come from, and how would Valve determine their authenticity?

I suppose the same way Amazon does it when i have to buy cold medication. Or any convenience store i go too they have to log in the DL numbers when i buy products for adults.

xBCxRangers 31 Jul @ 8:10am

Originally posted by Thermal Lance:
The only way I'd ever consider giving Valve my ID. And that's me being extremely generous here because I doubt i'd still do it.

If Valve DESTROYS those information within 24 hours. Once they approved the ID and I got my flag turned on. I want them to destroy that information. Not store it in a "secure" database. Destroy it.

Sincere question (sincere, being i sincerely don't know), i never keep my credit card information stored. They purposely have a box, left unchecked to keep such information.

Apparently, so they say, they're not storing our CC information, and the same maybe can happen with the ID info.

Thermal Lance 31 Jul @ 8:14am

Originally posted by xBCxRangers:
Originally posted by Thermal Lance:
The only way I'd ever consider giving Valve my ID. And that's me being extremely generous here because I doubt i'd still do it.

If Valve DESTROYS those information within 24 hours. Once they approved the ID and I got my flag turned on. I want them to destroy that information. Not store it in a "secure" database. Destroy it.

Sincere question (sincere, being i sincerely don't know), i never keep my credit card information stored. They purposely have a box, left unchecked to keep such information.

Apparently, so they say, they're not storing our CC information, and the same maybe can happen with the ID info.

I trust amazon "not storing info" about as much as I trust a drug dealer telling me "It's the best stuff youll ever get.".

I never used my CC on Amazon or Steam. Always used giftcards so I don't have to give them such infos.

#10

cSg|mc-Hotsauce 31 Jul @ 9:03am

Valve won't have to. They'll use 3rd party verification companies, just like the porn sites do.

#11

rawWwRrr 31 Jul @ 9:50am

I won't be giving a state/fed issued ID of any kind just to participate in a online gaming forum.

And it still doesn't resolve "Rule 15" as the payment processors don't want association with a site that peddles the content they outlined. It doesn't matter if there's ID verification or payment restrictions.

#12

Red Eagle LXIX 31 Jul @ 10:03am

Valve doesn't need my ID. My account itself is almost 21 years old, and I was old when I made it.

#13

xBCxRangers 31 Jul @ 10:05am

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:
I won't be giving a state/fed issued ID of any kind just to participate in a online gaming forum.

And it still doesn't resolve "Rule 15" as the payment processors don't want association with a site that peddles the content they outlined. It doesn't matter if there's ID verification or payment restrictions.

I think the reply by Visa stated as such...

"Visa does not moderate content sold by merchants, nor do we have visibility into the specific goods or services sold when we process a transaction".

Now THIS is key, it follows...

"When a legally operating merchant faces an elevated risk of illegal activity, we REQUIRE advanced SAFEGUARDS for the banks supporting those merchants".

What that seems to mean to me, is that Steam does not have any relative "safeguards" to assure these products are being sold, or used by adults. At least no assurances to the banks.

And so if Steam provides those safeguards, like an ID Verification system, it is quite possible Rule 15 can be negated or removed.

Now, it can also mean, said games themselves, may be close to being illegal, or at least too close for comfort for the processors.

In "that" regard, Steam is going to have to tie it in a notch, and not allow games on the border of illegality to be sold. That "should" make practical sense.

That's my take on that. And so you can disagree, but my feeling is once ID is required, the Processors will back off.

Last edited by xBCxRangers; 31 Jul @ 10:26am

#14

Boblin the Goblin 31 Jul @ 10:45am

Originally posted by xBCxRangers:
Originally posted by rawWwRrr:
I won't be giving a state/fed issued ID of any kind just to participate in a online gaming forum.

And it still doesn't resolve "Rule 15" as the payment processors don't want association with a site that peddles the content they outlined. It doesn't matter if there's ID verification or payment restrictions.

I think the reply by Visa stated as such...

"Visa does not moderate content sold by merchants, nor do we have visibility into the specific goods or services sold when we process a transaction".

Now THIS is key, it follows...

"When a legally operating merchant faces an elevated risk of illegal activity, we REQUIRE advanced SAFEGUARDS for the banks supporting those merchants".

What that seems to mean to me, is that Steam does not have any relative "safeguards" to assure these products are being sold, or used by adults. At least no assurances to the banks.

And so if Steam provides those safeguards, like an ID Verification system, it is quite possible Rule 15 can be negated or removed.

Now, it can also mean, said games themselves, may be close to being illegal, or at least too close for comfort for the processors.

In "that" regard, Steam is going to have to tie it in a notch, and not allow games on the border of illegality to be sold. That "should" make practical sense.

That's my take on that. And so you can disagree, but my feeling is once ID is required, the Processors will back off.

What illegal activities happened on Steam?