- Users in the UK are bypassing Discord's age verification using Death Stranding's photo mode.
- The K-ID tool requires facial movements, but the realism of the game makes it easy to overcome.
- The Internet Security Act requires restrictive systems for accessing adult content.
- The method has sparked controversy over the effectiveness, privacy, and potential abuse of control systems.
The recent entry into force of the Internet Security Act in the United Kingdom has brought about a wave of changes in access to content considered adult, especially affecting popular platforms like Discord. However, in less than a day, many users have found Unusual ways to circumvent the new restrictions, the most striking being the use of Death Stranding photo mode to pass age verification controls.
Given the obligation to verify age through biometric systems or identity documentsThe gaming community's creativity hasn't been long in coming. British players and users have shared on social media how, with just a screenshot of Sam Porter Bridges's face—the protagonist played by Norman Reedus—from Death Stranding's photo mode, it's possible to fool Discord's facial recognition system and access restricted channels without showing your own face.
The trick behind the K-ID deception
The system implemented in Discord, known as K-ID, asks users for a facial scan or ID to prevent minors from accessing adult content. Apparently, The most used method is the video selfie, which requires gestures such as opening and closing the mouth to demonstrate that it is actually a person. However, The impressive level of detail and facial expression options in Death Stranding's photo mode have allowed hundreds of people to imitate those movements. with the virtual character.
International media and users on X (formerly Twitter) have documented the process and proven its effectiveness: just take a picture or record a short video of Sam Porter's avatar performing the required gesture and pass the control without any problems. It has even been proven to work even if the character is wearing a hat or other accessories, which demonstrates the system vulnerability.
Limitations and criticisms of age verification
The introduction of stricter controls to safeguard minors has brought problems associated with the Privacy, protection of personal data and potential avenues for censorshipSeveral organizations, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation or Article 19, have warned about the dangers of a system that, far from guaranteeing security, can facilitate greater control and surveillance on the Internet.
Discord claims that does not permanently store video selfies or uploaded documents Once the age has been confirmed, to reassure those who fear their information may be leaked. However, the ease with which control has been breached through hyperrealistic characters and the possibility of using other digital tools calls into question its real effectiveness.
The phenomenon of using video game characters like Sam Porter Bridges to bypass age controls has spread to other titles with advanced customization options or artificial intelligence. Some users They are already exploring programs based on Unreal Engine to create virtual faces capable of overcoming these controls..
Reactions and consequences after social hacking
La viralization of the trick On social media, this has sparked a debate about the feasibility of maintaining effective and privacy-friendly automated verification systems. Although it's not the only biometric-based system, the fact that it can be fooled with sophisticated digital models It shows that the technology still has a lot of room for improvement..
British authorities have warned that Portals cannot host content that promotes ways of evading the law —such as the use of VPNs or other methods—and are monitoring these breaches. In response, many users are turning to alternatives such as the widespread use of VPNs—the demand for which has skyrocketed following the law—and the development of even more innovative methods.
The technical background: extreme realism in Death Stranding
El high level of graphic realism achieved by Kojima Productions has made Death Stranding an unwitting protagonist in this controversyThe techniques of motion capture and the detail in facial expressions are so accurate that Discord's algorithms cannot distinguish between the virtual image and a real person. This reveals a major technical problem in current facial recognition systems.
This scenario has brought to the table dilemmas related to the protection of minors, digital privacy and the future of facial recognition Given the increasing sophistication of digital models, the community is already exploring options such as using Unreal Engine-based programs to create virtual faces capable of overcoming these controls.
Since the implementation of the new rules, Discord has automatically restricted access to channels to those over 18 years of age, Requiring proof of age for actions such as removing sensitive content filters or modifying privacy settingsThe experience with Death Stranding demonstrates that technological innovation still faces significant challenges in the face of user creativity.
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