Age Verification
Ongoing coverage on Age Verification.
Latest coverage
Report: Steam now requires Australian users to verify their age with credit cards
Steam has reportedly begun requiring Australian users to verify their age using a credit card to access games classified as R18+. This new policy, implemented by Valve, stems from Australia's online safety codes and has drawn criticism for its reliance on credit cards, excluding users who primarily use debit cards or other payment methods.
Steam implements age verification for Australian gamers
Steam has implemented a new age verification system for Australian gamers purchasing R18+ titles, requiring credit card details for verification. This change follows new Australian Government online safety codes. The policy has drawn criticism from Australian gamers, with some accusing Valve of 'malicious compliance'.
Steam now requires Australian users to have a credit card to purchase R18+ games, and no, a simple bank debit card…
Steam has implemented a new age verification policy for Australian users purchasing R18+ games, requiring a credit card as the sole verification method. This change, mandated by law, excludes users who only have debit cards or do not qualify for credit cards, preventing them from accessing mature content on the platform.
Epic Games Store to introduce age checks for R18+ games in Australia
Epic Games will implement age verification for R18+ titles on the Epic Games Store in Australia starting September 9, aligning with the country's online safety code. Players will have multiple verification options, including selfie, credit card, or government ID checks. This follows similar age verification rollouts by Xbox and Valve in Australia and the UK.
Utah won't enforce VPN age-verification law until legal challenge resolves
Utah will not enforce its law requiring age verification for VPN usage until a legal challenge is resolved. The state was the first to target VPNs in this manner, but an ongoing court case has put enforcement on hold.
Linux manages to avoid the age verification apocalypse, but SteamOS isn't in the clear yet
California's Digital Age Assurance Act, set to take effect in 2027, will exempt open-source operating systems like Linux from mandatory age verification checks due to an amendment. However, Valve's SteamOS, which has proprietary elements, may still be subject to compliance, and users will likely still need to verify their age on Steam for certain games.
Australia’s New Age Checks Will Shut Millions Of Xbox Players Out From August 2026
Starting August 2026, Australian Xbox players will need to verify their age using government-issued ID, facial scans, or credit card details to access mature-rated titles. These new regulations, mandated by Australian law, aim to protect minors but have raised concerns among privacy advocates about the security of personal data. Players who refuse to comply will be locked out of restricted games.
Xbox to implement age verification in Australia on console and PC in late August
Xbox will implement age verification for users in Australia starting in late August 2026 to comply with R18+ game access regulations. Users will need to verify their age through methods like email, facial scan, or ID to access rated 18+ content on the Microsoft and Xbox Store for both console and PC. This follows similar age verification rollouts by Sony and Valve in other regions.
Xbox now requires Australians to prove their age to access games rated 18+, though "games you already own won't be affected"
Microsoft's Xbox platform is implementing mandatory age verification for users in Australia to access games rated 18+ on the Xbox and Microsoft Stores. This new policy, which begins in late August 2026, requires users to verify their identity through methods like email, credit card, government ID, or facial verification to comply with Australian regulations. Games already owned by users will not be affected by this change.
Australians must now prove their age to buy R18+ games on the Xbox store
Microsoft will implement age verification for R18+ games on the Xbox and PC stores in Australia starting August 2026 to comply with new regulations. Users may need to verify their age using methods like a selfie, credit card, or government ID. This change comes as both Australia and the UK introduce stricter age verification requirements, while platforms like Steam and PlayStation have not yet implemented similar measures in Australia.
Google Play is expanding age confirmation tools for app developers
Google Play is expanding its age confirmation tools for app developers globally with the upcoming release of the Age Signals API. This feature aims to enhance age verification processes for applications before the end of the year.
New York finalizes its SAFE for Kids rules — and 98% is the figure platforms should be worried about
New York has finalized its SAFE for Kids Act rules, requiring social platforms to detect age verification circumvention at a 98% rate. The regulations, set to take effect January 25, 2027, mandate age verification for algorithmic feeds and late-night notifications, with penalties of up to $5,000 per violation for non-compliance. The rules do not prescribe specific verification methods but set accuracy floors, and legal challenges are anticipated.
Roblox game Be Dead Forever Simulator is likely dead forever
The popular Roblox game Be Dead Forever Simulator has been made unavailable due to new age verification rules implemented by Roblox Corporation. The game's creator has not updated it in years, leaving its maturity rating unverified, which prevents players from accessing it. This situation raises concerns about how many games might be lost as a result of these new safety measures.
Some Battle.net players may need to verify their age to avoid losing access to voice chat and other social features
Blizzard Entertainment is implementing age verification for Battle.net users in the UK to comply with the Online Safety Act and maintain age-appropriate experiences. Players over 18 will need to verify their age using government ID, credit card, or mobile provider verification to retain access to social features like voice and text chat. Failure to verify will result in restricted access to certain features and age-restricted content.
"Safety is never an endpoint." Roblox's James Kay on age verification and commitment to player safety
Roblox's James Kay discusses the company's ongoing commitment to player safety, highlighting recent enhancements like facial age estimation for chat features and mandatory parental controls. He emphasizes that safety is an evolving process, not an endpoint, and addresses the potential impact of the UK's upcoming social media ban on younger users.
Morning Legal Briefs
Proton has launched an interactive map highlighting the rapid spread of age verification laws globally, raising concerns about the erosion of online privacy. The tool aims to inform users about the increasing implementation of these regulations.
GTA 6 needs a driver’s licence to play in Australia and the UK could be the same
Australia's age verification laws may require players to use a driver's license to play Grand Theft Auto 6, a policy that could also be implemented in the UK. Rockstar Games must comply with these regulations or face significant fines. While an official age rating is pending, a PlayStation email indicated an M rating in the US, suggesting an 18 rating in the UK and R18 in Australia.
GTA 6 faces potential $35 million fine if Rockstar doesn't comply with online safety laws that mean Australians…
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 may face potential fines of up to $35 million in Australia if it does not comply with the country's online safety laws requiring age verification for adult-rated content. Similar to Grand Theft Auto 5, the upcoming title is expected to receive an M or 18+ rating, necessitating ID checks for access, particularly for its online component. Failure to implement these measures could result in significant penalties under Australian legislation.
'Not once have we been asked to verify our age': Study suggests companies falling under Australia's under-16 social media ban are failing to verify accounts
A recent study suggests that social media companies are failing to enforce Australia's ban on users under 16, with many platforms not verifying account ages. Testers found that nine out of ten services, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, did not ask for proof of age. Only Kick reportedly implemented age verification measures.
The KIDS bill moving through Congress prompts concerns about stifled speech and intrusive age verification
The Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) has passed the House of Representatives, proposing new regulations for online video games concerning child safety and communication. Opponents raise concerns about mandatory age verification, potential stifling of free speech, and the removal of a 'duty of care' provision, despite the bill's stated aim of protecting minors.