Why Does Epic Games Want My ID? Understanding Identity Verification on the Epic Games Store
Epic Games, the powerhouse behind Fortnite, Rocket League, and the Epic Games Store, occasionally requests users to provide identification. This can seem alarming, raising questions about privacy and security. The primary reason Epic Games asks for your ID is to verify your age and, in some cases, to confirm your identity for parental consent purposes. This verification process is often triggered when a user indicates they are a child, necessitating compliance with privacy laws such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and similar regulations worldwide. By verifying age, Epic Games ensures that young players receive the necessary protections and that parental consent is obtained before accessing features that collect personal information.
Age verification is a crucial aspect of maintaining a safe and compliant online environment, especially when dealing with younger players. This protects not only the children but also the company by adhering to legal requirements and promoting ethical gaming practices.
Understanding Age Verification and Parental Consent
The need for ID verification is often linked to the concept of a “Cabined Account.” If a player indicates they are under the age of 13 (or the age of digital consent in their country, if higher), their account becomes a Cabined Account. These accounts have restricted access to certain features, such as voice chat, friend lists, and in-game purchases, until parental consent is provided.
To obtain this consent, Epic Games utilizes platforms like SuperAwesome, a leading provider of parental consent and verification services. These platforms employ various methods to verify adulthood, including:
- Face Scan: Using facial recognition technology to estimate age.
- Credit or Debit Card Verification: Requiring a small transaction to confirm adulthood (the charge is often refunded).
- ID Scan: Uploading a copy of a government-issued ID, like a driver’s license or passport.
The information collected during this process is only used for verification and is not stored by SuperAwesome or Epic Games after the verification is complete, ensuring data privacy.
Protecting Your Account and Preventing Fraud
Beyond age verification, Epic Games may also request ID to combat account buying, selling, and sharing. These practices violate their Terms of Service and can lead to account bans. By verifying the identity of account holders, Epic Games aims to maintain a fair and secure gaming environment for all players. Sharing accounts has ramifications; the original account holder is responsible for all actions and penalties resulting from the shared account’s activities.
While the request for identification might feel intrusive, it’s important to recognize that Epic Games has legitimate reasons for doing so. These measures are designed to protect both users and the company, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and fostering a safe and enjoyable gaming experience.
Addressing Privacy Concerns
It’s understandable to be wary about sharing personal information online. Epic Games emphasizes that data collected for verification purposes is handled securely and in accordance with privacy regulations. They partner with trusted third-party services like SuperAwesome to manage the verification process, ensuring that data is not misused or retained longer than necessary.
However, users should always exercise caution and review Epic Games’ Privacy Policy to understand how their data is collected, used, and protected. This policy outlines the measures taken to safeguard user information and provides details on data retention practices.
FAQs: Addressing Your Concerns About Epic Games and ID Verification
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify why Epic Games might ask for your ID and what it means for your privacy:
Why is Epic Games asking for my SSN or credit card?
Epic Games does not typically ask for your Social Security Number (SSN). However, they might request credit card information through a trusted partner like SuperAwesome as part of the age verification process. This is a common method for confirming adulthood, and the charge is often refunded.
Why do you need my personal information to verify my identity?
Personal information is needed to confirm your age and, in some cases, to ensure you are the parent or guardian providing consent for a child’s account. This information is used solely for verification purposes and is not stored after the process is complete.
Should I share my Epic Games ID?
Sharing your Epic Games account display name is generally safe, as it’s public-facing. However, you should never share your Epic Account ID, which is a unique identifier assigned to your account.
Is Epic Games verification legit?
Yes, Epic Games uses legitimate verification processes, often partnering with trusted third-party services like SuperAwesome. These services employ various methods to verify age and identity while adhering to privacy regulations.
Is Epic Games parental permission legit?
Yes, Epic Games’ parental permission process is legitimate and designed to comply with privacy laws like COPPA. It allows parents or guardians to grant consent for their children to access certain features within Epic Games’ products.
Why is Epic Games asking for parental permission?
Parental permission is required for accounts belonging to players under the age of 13 (or the age of digital consent in their country). These accounts are classified as Cabined Accounts and require consent to access certain features.
How does Epic Games know my child’s age?
Epic Games asks users to provide their date of birth during account creation. If the indicated age is below 13 (or the age of digital consent), the account becomes a Cabined Account, triggering the parental consent process.
Do you have to be 13 to use Epic Games?
Technically, no. However, if a player is under 13 (or the age of digital consent), their account will be a Cabined Account and require parental consent to access certain features.
Why is Epic Games asking me to verify my age?
Epic Games asks for age verification to ensure compliance with privacy laws and to provide appropriate protections for younger players. This also helps maintain a safe and secure online environment.
Why do I need to verify my Fortnite account?
Verifying your email address is strongly recommended to protect your account with two-factor authentication (2FA) and to facilitate assistance from Player Support in case of suspicious activity.
Can an 11-year-old have an Epic Games account?
Yes, an 11-year-old can have an Epic Games account, but it will require parental consent to access certain features.
How do you verify an adult on Epic Games?
Adult verification is typically done through SuperAwesome and may involve methods like face scan, credit or debit card verification, or ID scan.
Does Epic Games collect your data?
Yes, Epic Games collects user data to provide and improve their services. However, they emphasize that they only access player data for the purpose of enhancing user experience and complying with legal obligations. Refer to the Privacy Policy for further information.
Is Epic Account ID public?
No, your Epic Account ID is not public. It’s a unique identifier that is not displayed to other users. Your account display name is the public-facing identifier.
Has Epic Games been hacked?
While Epic Games has experienced security incidents in the past, they have implemented measures to improve their security and protect user data. It’s always advisable to use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
Staying Informed and Safe
Understanding why Epic Games requests your ID is crucial for navigating the online gaming landscape. By prioritizing age verification, parental consent, and account security, Epic Games aims to create a safer and more enjoyable experience for all players. By understanding the reasons behind these requests, users can feel more confident in the security and legitimacy of the platform.
As the gaming landscape evolves, it is important to stay informed and adapt to the evolving landscape. The Games Learning Society (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/) is a great resource for learning more about the intersection of games, learning, and societal impact.