The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has denied an application from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) concerning face-scanning, age-verification tech (developed by the digital identity firm Yoti).

In its response (via PC Gamer), the FTC rejected the application 4-0 after receiving over 350 comments. The rejection is not meant to comment on the merits of the application, rather it is in anticipation that "additional information will be available to assist the Commission and the public in better understanding age verification technologies and the application." Essentially, the FTC is punting on a final decision until more information is available.

In a letter to the ESRB, the FTC noted that Yoti submitted a facial estimation model to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and that a report on the tech from the institute is forthcoming. The ESRB previously requested that the application get a 90 day delay to make time for the NIST's report's release. The FTC opted instead to allow the ESRB to refile once the report emerges.