Xbox to Require Age Verification in UK by 2026 for Social Features
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is requiring UK Xbox users to verify their age to access full social features, complying with the UK’s Online Safety Act.
– The verification process is currently optional for accounts flagged as 18+ but will become mandatory in early 2026, restricting unverified accounts.
– Users can verify their age using Yoti, a third-party service, via live photos, mobile numbers, credit cards, or government IDs.
– Unverified accounts will lose features like Discord integration and Twitch broadcasting but retain core functionalities like gameplay and purchases.
– Microsoft plans to expand age verification to other regions in the future, with other gaming platforms likely to follow suit.
Microsoft is introducing mandatory age verification for Xbox users in the UK, marking a significant shift in how the platform manages social interactions. Starting in early 2026, accounts that haven’t completed the verification process will face restrictions, losing access to features like custom clubs, Looking for Group tools, and third-party integrations such as Discord and Twitch streaming. The changes align with the UK’s Online Safety Act, though Microsoft plans to expand similar measures globally in the coming years.
For now, the system applies only to accounts flagged as belonging to adults in the UK, and verification remains optional. However, Microsoft warns that unverified users will eventually lose full social functionality, limiting communication to text, voice chats, and party invites among existing Xbox friends. The company emphasizes that gameplay, purchases, and achievements won’t be affected, only social features.
To verify their age, players must use Yoti, a third-party service that cross-references identity documents like passports, driver’s licenses, or credit cards. Alternatively, users can submit a live photo or confirm their age via mobile network data. Kim Kunes, Xbox’s vice president of gaming trust and safety, stressed that completing the one-time check now will prevent disruptions later.
The move reflects a broader trend across digital platforms, with social networks and adult content sites also adopting stricter age checks. While Xbox is the first major console brand to outline compliance with UK regulations, competitors like PlayStation and Nintendo will likely follow suit.
As the policy rolls out, Microsoft aims to refine its approach based on feedback, potentially shaping age verification standards worldwide. For UK gamers, the message is clear: prepare for a more regulated online experience, one that prioritizes safety but may require extra steps to stay connected.
(Source: IGN)
