- PlayStation age verification has started rolling out to users in the UK and Ireland.
- As part of the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA), age verification will be mandatory in June
- Many communication features will not be available if the user does not verify their age.
Sony has started rolling out PlayStation age verification for users in the UK and Ireland.
The age verification process, which is part of the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA), is currently optional, but will be mandatory from June 2026, according to the FAQ.
Sony is asking players to complete the process to avoid interruptions later this year and maintain access to PlayStation communication features such as voice and text chat, messaging, Discord voice chat, streaming features, streaming to YouTube and Twitch, joining groups or group sessions, and other in-game user-generated content (UGC).
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He explained that some games offer their own communication tools or UGC features, and if age verification is not completed, certain features will not be available.
“Because each title is designed differently, the specific features affected may vary by game,” Sony said. “As titles update their implementations over time, additional game features may be restricted to users who have not verified their age.
Gamers have reacted to the new change, with one Reddit user saying: “Sony making age verification mandatory for PlayStation’s core social features seems like a preview of where the internet is headed.”
Others have said that they should not have to verify their age if they have owned their account for more than 18 years, with some suggesting that if the purchase was made with a credit card, Sony should automatically know that the user is an adult.
TechRadar Gaming’s own editor-in-chief, Rob Dwiar, received an email alerting him about the age verification. In case you haven’t received yours yet, it says:
“Please verify your age to continue using communication features. At Sony Interactive Entertainment, we are committed to creating safe, age-appropriate experiences for gamers and their families, while respecting privacy and giving gamers and parents meaningful control over their gaming experience.
“As part of our compliance with global regulations, you will need to verify your age later this year to continue using PlayStation communication features, such as messaging and voice chat. You will still be able to access other PlayStation services, such as games, trophies and the Store, if you do not verify your age.”
A QR is also attached to the email, asking users to scan and follow the steps to verify their age.
Sony is using Yoti for age verification, the same service Microsoft uses for Xbox after introducing the mandatory feature last year. A government-issued ID, a facial scan to determine estimated age, and a mobile carrier verification can be used to verify the user’s age.
You can check it now or scan the QR code in the FAQ to get started if you haven’t received an email yet.
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