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Microsoft has rolled out mandatory age verification on Xbox in the UK, complying with the country's Online Safety Act. Starting in early 2026, adult accounts will need to verify their age to retain full access to social features such as voice or text communication and game invites.
The age verification process on Xbox is a one-time requirement for UK-based adult accounts, prompted when signing in with a Microsoft Account. It can be completed via mobile or web, not directly on the console. All data used for verification is encrypted, not stored, and used only to confirm age.
For countries outside the UK, Microsoft plans to expand age verification but has not yet mandated it. The company intends to learn from the UK's rollout and create region-specific verification methods, which could differ from the UK's options like government ID, age estimation, mobile provider checks, or credit card verification.
In the United States, regulations for age verification are more fragmented and may be on a state-by-state basis. The Kids Online Safety Act, stalled in the U.S. House, shares some goals with the UK's law but does not require strict ID-based verification.
Other countries like Australia, France, Italy, and Canada have introduced ID verification systems, but mostly for explicit content or social media restrictions for users under 16. These laws do not currently mandate age verification on platforms like Xbox.
The European Union enforces the Digital Service Act, aiming for stronger protections for minors and investigating platforms lacking proper age checks. This could lead to enforcement similar to the UK's in the future.
Child or teen accounts on Xbox do not require age verification, as they already include built-in safety controls. Users can choose to verify their age ahead of the early 2026 deadline on Xbox.
Detailed instructions for age verification on Xbox can be found at the Xbox Support website, and more information about player safety can be found on the Xbox Wire website.
As Microsoft continues to expand age verification, it will be interesting to see how the company adapts its methods to fit the unique regulations and needs of different regions. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
[1] Xbox Support website: [insert link] [2] Xbox Wire website: [insert link] [3] Various country-specific laws and regulations: [insert link] [4] Microsoft's plan for global age verification expansion: [insert link] [5] EU's Digital Service Act: [insert link]
- Microsoft is planning to expand the age verification process, similar to the one on Xbox Series X and Xbox, to countries outside the UK, but is yet to make it mandatory.
- In the UK, Xbox users will need to verify their age using either government ID, age estimation, mobile provider checks, or credit card verification when prompted by the age verification process, starting in early 2026.
- Regulations for age verification on technology platforms like gadgets and computers, such as Microsoft Windows and Xbox, vary greatly across different countries, with the European Union aiming for stronger protections and some countries focusing on explicit content or social media restrictions for minors.
