Sony has initiated age verification protocols for PlayStation users in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act. The new measures will impact both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners.
Starting from June 2026, users who fail to complete the verification process will lose access to various social functions, including voice chat, messaging, parties, and other third-party communication tools. While gameplay itself will remain unaffected, specific features will be limited until users confirm their age, as stated in a recent Sony support communication.
Additionally, age verification will be mandatory for users looking to broadcast gameplay or stream content to platforms like YouTube and Twitch directly from their console. Sony has collaborated with Yoti to implement this system for users in the UK and Ireland. Players can verify their age through different methods, such as providing a mobile number, undergoing a facial scan, or submitting official identification documents.
This action aligns with Microsoft’s strategy, as they had introduced similar requirements for their Xbox platform in the UK last year, also utilizing Yoti as the verification provider. Under Microsoft’s regulations, users must be at least 18 years old to maintain full access to social features like voice and text communication, as well as game invitations.
