Gaming Companies Should Avoid Predatory Designs, Lawmakers Say

Democrats are calling on some of the biggest gaming companies to better protect children by extending new British design rules to children in the United States. Regulations could prohibit companies from selling in-game loot boxes to minors, among other restrictions.

In letters to a dozen major game companies, including Blizzard, Epic Games, Microsoft, Nintendo and Riot, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Representative Lori Trahan (D – MA) urged leaders to extend new UK conception regulations to children in the US.

“It is imperative that Congress act urgently to enact strong 21st century child and youth privacy law,” lawmakers wrote. “As we work towards this goal, we urge you to extend to American children and adolescents any privacy enhancements you implement to comply with the AADC. “

The new UK rules, called the Age Appropriate Design Code, are expected to be rolled out next month and apply to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram as well as games like Roblox and Minecraft. Specifically, the new rules force companies to design their products in the “best interests” of children, to offer stricter settings and privacy policies for different age groups, and to restrict often used “kink techniques”. to encourage users to continue using the service.

British law does not extend to children in the United States, but in letters on Tuesday lawmakers called on the 12 companies to voluntarily apply those same protections to Americans. Notably, lawmakers have argued that the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s (ESRB) guidelines do not go far enough to protect children from the “manipulation” associated with these in-game purchases and that companies should create more regulations. strict in accordance with the new UK. rules in the United States.

“The prevalence of micro-transactions – often encouraged by the nudge – has led to high credit card bills for parents,” lawmakers wrote. “Loot boxes go a step further, encouraging purchase before a child knows what’s in the ‘package’, like a game of chance.”

The United States already has laws protecting children’s privacy, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, written by Markey. But the law only applies to children under 12. UK rules extend to minors under the age of 18. Earlier this year, Castor reintroduced its ‘Kids PRIVCY Act’ which includes elements of the UK age-appropriate design code. Specifically, the bill would ban targeting behavioral ads to children and require companies to design their products in the best interests of young people.