Complying with the controversial UK Online Safety Act, Microsoft is introducing a system that asks Xbox players to verify their age. Those in the UK who are under 18 won’t be able to fully use voice chat, text messaging, and game invites. Right now, the process is optional, but starting in 2026, stricter limits could kick in as more of the Online Safety Act comes into effect. The company might also apply this rule to more regions in the future.
“Starting early next year, age verification will be required for these players in the UK to retain full access to social features on Xbox, such as voice or text communication and game invites,” explains Xbox’s VP of Gaming Trust & Safety, Kim Kunes. “However, starting early next year, their use of social features on Xbox will become limited to friends only until they complete the age verification process.”
This new Xbox age verification system is powered by Yoti, giving players several ways to prove their age. Either by government-issued ID, a selfie, a mobile provider check, or a credit card confirmation. Microsoft says all information is encrypted and won’t be stored or used for anything else. Verification will also not affect any previous ‘purchases, entitlements, gameplay history, achievements,’ or the ability to play games.
However, Xbox age verification might not stop in the UK — as Team Green plans to expand this system to other countries as well.
“We’ll continue to evaluate how we can keep players around the world safe and learn from the UK process,” wrote Kunes. “We expect to roll out age verification processes to more regions in the future.”
While Xbox’s move might be a first for Western consoles, other regions have been stricter about age verification for years. Several Eastern countries have straight-up made it a prerequisite just to log in, play games, or even buy content:
- China: Basically the OG of age verification in gaming, as every online game there requires players to register their real name and official ID. In an attempt to curb youth addictions, since 2019, minors have been given hard playtime limits while late-night gaming is banned for those under 18. Some platforms like WeGame and Bilibili Game Center even utilize facial recognition to enforce it.
- South Korea: The country once had the infamous ‘Shutdown Law,’ shutting down servers for kids under 16 between midnight to 6 AM. While that particular law was repealed in 2021, Korean players still need to verify their identity with RRN (Resident Registration Numbers) for online gaming.
- Japan: Here, platforms ranging from Google Play Store to DMM Store could cross-check your account with the My Number national ID or age-verified mobile SIM. Although, this mostly affects microtransaction-heavy gacha games such as Fate/Grand Order and Shiny Song, or adult-oriented releases.
Sony and Nintendo haven’t announced similar measures yet. But with regulators tightening rules on not just gaming, but online spaces in general, Xbox seems to be the first domino to fall.
