Australians may need facial scans to buy GTA 6

Retailers and digital storefronts in Australia are considering facial-recognition checks for purchases of Grand Theft Auto 6. The proposal would apply to both in-store sales and online pre-orders and sales for the game, which carries a mature rating.

Under the systems under discussion, buyers would either present a live facial scan at a store kiosk or use a smartphone app to submit a selfie. The image would be compared to a government ID photo or a vendor’s identity verification service before the sale is completed.

In physical stores staff could run a quick face match against a presented ID. For online sales merchants could require a one-time biometric check during account setup or as part of checkout. Companies have not confirmed whether any requirement would be mandatory for all customers or limited to specific retailers and platforms.

The proposed measures are aimed at enforcing age limits on mature-rated games and reducing fraud connected to stolen IDs and payment methods. Retailers, payment providers and digital platforms are among the groups discussing the technology.

Australian privacy law treats biometric data as sensitive personal information. Organisations that collect facial data would need to obtain consent, set limits on how long data is retained, and implement protections to prevent breaches. Data handling and storage practices would have to meet existing regulatory requirements.

Consumer groups have raised concerns about security and accessibility. Advocates have noted risks if biometric databases are breached and have asked for alternatives for customers who cannot or will not use facial verification. Retailers are expected to consider options such as accepting physical ID in store or offering non-biometric verification methods online.

Any rollout of facial checks would likely begin with pilot programs at selected retailers or within specific online storefronts before wider deployment. The scope, technical details and timelines for pilots have not been made public.

Grand Theft Auto titles typically carry adult ratings and sellers already use age checks and account-based restrictions to limit access. The current discussion about facial-recognition verification forms part of a broader trend in which identity technology is used to meet age-restriction requirements and to try to reduce fraud in retail transactions.