Pokémon Company says it's bringing facial recognition tech to stores

The Pokémon Company will use facial recognition at five Japan pop-up shops to limit repeat Pokémon card purchases.

The move follows earlier ID checks and is aimed at curbing scalping, resale, and related safety issues.

The policy reflects intense demand for Pokémon cards, but it also raises privacy concerns over increasingly invasive retail security.

The changes come amid violent incidents and disorder linked to the booming Pokémon card market in Japan.