Users will have to verify their age to play R18+ games in compliance with online safety regulations
Xbox will begin rolling out age verification for users in Australia later this month.
According to Press Start, users must verify their age to play R18+ games on the Microsoft and Xbox Store for console and PC, in line with Australian regulations.
"As part of our compliance program in Australia, beginning late August 2026, adult Xbox accounts must verify their age to be able to access apps and games rated 18+ on the Microsoft and Xbox Store. Access to such content may be restricted unless you verify your age. Apps and games you already own won’t be affected."
PC Gamer reports that London-based tech company VerifyMy will manage age verification in Australia.
Users can verify their age via email, a facial scan to estimate age, or by presenting a credit card or government-issued ID.
Earlier this year, Sony began rolling out age verification for PlayStation in the UK and Ireland to comply with the country's Online Safety Act. Previously optional, age verification became mandatory in June 2026.
Users who do not verify their age may lose access to communication features such as voice and text chat, messaging, third-party communication tools, broadcasting, sharing, streaming, and in-game user-generated content.
Sony uses Yoti for age verification, the same service Microsoft uses for Xbox in the UK. Microsoft began implementing age verification in the UK last July, shortly after the OSA was introduced.
Valve introduced age verification for Steam users in the UK last August to enable access to mature content on the platform.
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