Sony to Restrict PlayStation Social Features Without Age Verification in UK and Ireland
Updated
Updated · GameSpot · Apr 20
Sony to Restrict PlayStation Social Features Without Age Verification in UK and Ireland
25 articles · Updated · GameSpot · Apr 20
Sony will require PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland to verify their age to access voice chat, messaging, and other social features from June 2026.
Verification methods include government-issued ID, facial scan, or mobile provider check, with Sony partnering with Yoti to handle the process.
This move aligns with the UK's Online Safety Act, following similar measures by Microsoft Xbox and other platforms to enhance child online safety.
Is the UK's gaming law the first step towards a global internet passport?
With PlayStation collecting IDs, are we creating the next massive target for hackers?
If gaming doesn't harm teen mental health, why are such invasive rules needed?
Can AI truly protect kids online if it struggles to identify their age accurately?
As ID checks become gaming's new normal, is online anonymity officially dead?