Xbox implements age verification in the UK compliant with the latest legislation
Xbox Complies with UK Online Safety Act, Implementing Age Verification Process
The UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, has enforced the Online Safety Act on July 25, 2025. This law mandates robust age checks on platforms hosting adult or user-generated content, with Xbox being one of the platforms that have complied.
Xbox is now prompting users who list their age as 18 or older to verify their identity using various methods. These include government-issued ID scans, credit card checks, age-estimating selfies, and confirmation via mobile provider. Microsoft is working with identity provider Yoti for age verification to enhance security.
Initially, the age verification process is optional, but it will become mandatory by early 2026 to maintain full access to social features like voice chat, text communication, and game invites on Xbox in the UK. If users do not verify, they retain the ability to play games and make purchases but face restrictions on social interactions.
To address privacy concerns, Microsoft states that the information provided during the age verification process is protected using industry-standard encryption and is not stored or used beyond verifying age. Players can choose from multiple secure verification methods, and Microsoft uses a trusted third-party identity verification service to ensure transparency.
This compliance aligns with the UK Online Safety Act's goals to prevent children from accessing harmful adult content and foster safer online communities, balancing regulatory adherence with user privacy through secure, limited-use verification processes. Microsoft plans to learn from the UK implementation and intends to expand age verification to other regions in the future, adapting the methods as needed per local requirements.
While the age verification process has been implemented, users and critics have raised privacy concerns over its rollout. However, Microsoft has emphasised its commitment to protecting user data and maintaining transparency throughout the process.
It's important to note that this age verification process will not affect purchases, game progress, or access to content on Xbox. Additionally, other platforms like TikTok, Reddit, X, and Bluesky are also implementing compliance measures to avoid fines under the Online Safety Act.
Although some users have attempted to bypass the age verification process using unconventional methods, such as Death Stranding's in-game photo feature to trick facial recognition systems, Xbox and other platforms are continually updating their security measures to prevent such workarounds.
As the UK continues to enforce the Online Safety Act, it is expected that more platforms will follow suit and implement similar age verification processes to ensure compliance and foster safer online communities.
Technology and gadgets like age verification processes are becoming increasingly prominent, as seen with Microsoft's implementation on Xbox to comply with the UK Online Safety Act. This includes methods such as government-issued ID scans, credit card checks, age-estimating selfies, and mobile provider confirmation.
