The Pokemon Company has introduced facial recognition technology at its official Pokemon Card Stores in Japan to prevent scalpers from purchasing limited-edition cards for resale. This system scans the faces of adult shoppers and children above a certain age, allowing only one entry per person each day. Preschool children are exempt but must be accompanied by an adult. If a person tries to enter again or obtain a second ticket, the system sends an alert and blocks the attempt. The company aims to create a fair shopping environment for genuine collectors and improve product availability.
This measure reflects the company's firm approach to tackling the persistent issue of card scalping in the Pokemon Trading Card Game community. Although the use of facial recognition technology raises some privacy concerns, many fans appreciate the effort to prevent empty shelves caused by bulk purchasing from scalpers. The system is mandatory for anyone wishing to enter the stores, underlining the company’s commitment to protecting the interests of dedicated collectors.