FACEIT to add ID verification option to combat cheaters – meets mixed opinions

Let's all give our photo IDs to a game server company - said nobody, ever.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

FACEIT to add ID verification option to combat cheaters: FACEIT is a CS:GO platform that helps upgrade the user experience from the typical matchmaking scenarios inside CS:GO itself.

The platform is mainly used for competitive play, so as you can imagine it takes cheating and surfing very seriously. FACEIT is to implement an ID verification system that has been met with very mixed opinions online.

The reception wasn’t a warm one when the Tweet from @AntiCheatPD detailing FACEIT’s latest plans to combat cheating on its platform went out.

---

FACEIT to add opt-in ID verification for its platform

Recently, a Tweet from @AntiCheatPD surfaced detailing plans to add an optional ID verification system to FACEIT to combat cheaters and a type of player dubbed a “smurf” (a skilled player who plays on a low-level account for easy wins on CS:GO).

On the surface of it, this sounds like a strong move, finally something to minimize surfing and cheating once and for all, by presumably limiting each user to one or maybe two accounts. However, we have to look at the larger picture here.

There’s a large division of people who rightly don’t want to give government documents to a company in order to play a game, however, there are just as many who are for the change. There are many points to each side, so strap in.

But before we get into all that, here’s the official information from FACEIT.

As you can see, FACEIT clearly states this as an option, you in no way HAVE to comply. However, the more people that do, the more people will matchmake with other players who have verified their accounts, increasing the chances of you running into a cheater (if you don’t have a verified account)

The more people enroll, the more this becomes a problem for the unverified.

---

Why are players against FACEIT ID verification?

There are a couple of reasons players are against this change, the main one is the fact that players do not want to give government documents to play a game. This is a legitimate concern as it’s not really clear what is done with your information and how it is stored.

FACEIT states in the above documentation that the ID verification will be processed by Daon Limited, a company based out of Ireland. And with FACEIT being a Sauidi company, it’s probably a good choice that they chose to outsource this task to an EU company, with stricter laws and regulations that protect people’s personal information.

One glaring reason is the fact that you will have to delete your FACEIT account if you at any time wish to withdraw your consent for FACEIT to have access to your ID. Which seems harsh, or perhaps an attempt at discouragement.

Once again, FACEIT has stated that this is an optional feature, but as more and more people opt-in, the more necessary it becomes.

Discussions on the HLTV forums are as civilized as ever, here is a pretty good place to view people’s concerns regarding the change.

---

How will FACEIT ID verification stop surfing and cheating?

The fact of the matter is that player who verifies their identities are less likely to cheat altogether, as there’s very likely going to be a limit on how many accounts you can have with FACEIT at one time that are linked to your ID.

People who verified their accounts will only be matchmade with people who have also verified their accounts, making it much less likely that you’ll encounter a cheater.

But how exactly does this differ from a phone verification system? Doesn’t that achieve the same thing without the risk of identity fraud?

---

Final Word

These FACEIT to add ID verification option to combat cheaters waters are difficult to navigate, and information such as ID should not have to be given in order to play a game, we understand skin gambling sites ask for ID but that’s due to the gambling component and is used for age verification.

This information is especially sensitive as it’s very easy for a criminal to steal your identity when they have a copy of real identity information.

Anti-cheat and fair play mechanisms absolutely need to be in place for everyone to have a fun time, but is sharing such sensitive information necessary?

Is this a good choice for FACEIT? Or a bad one? Let us know what you think.