The debate around online safety has influenced various companies to add age verification to protect consumers, particularly those underage. PlayStation recently notified its audience that age verification will act as a mandatory condition to access social and communication features on the platform.
The change was required under the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act (OSA), a set of laws designed to protect children and adults on the internet by mandating procedures to severely restrict illegal activity and inappropriate content. Independent communications regulator Ofcom commenced enforcement and supervision of the OSA on October 17 2024, forcing companies, including Sony and PlayStation, to create “effective processes” for age verification and sensitive data collection.
From June 2026, users will be required to verify themselves via facial scan, government I.D., or mobile phone number. PlayStation is currently providing their new verification service in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland as a voluntary option. Players will be required to verify their age to access the following features on console, website, and PlayStation App: voice chat, text chat, direct messaging, third-party communication, parties, group sessions, broadcasting, and sharing.
As part of a statement available on their website, PlayStation explained: “We use age verification to deliver the best PlayStation experience for your age and to help protect our younger users. If you have not completed age verification, you can continue playing on PlayStation but communication features won’t be available until you do.”
