Sony begins age verification for PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland

PlayStation owners in the UK and Ireland are being asked to verify their age to continue using certain features on their consoles. This process comes in response to A UK law aims to protect children from online predators.

The process, outlined on Sony websiteapplies to all PlayStation users residing in the UK and Ireland, and has already been rolled out. Verification will be mandatory starting June 2026, and failure to verify will prevent PlayStation owners from accessing social features such as voice chat, text messaging, party sessions, and groups.

There are three ways users can verify their age. They can present a government-issued document such as a passport, driver’s license, or national ID card; Complete a facial scan that estimates age from a selfie; Or allow a check against the age they have registered with their carrier. Sony used Yoti, the same identity service adopted by Microsoft at the time Xbox has rolled out its own age verification processes in July 2025 to comply with the same law.

Those who choose not to go through the age verification process will not be locked out of their consoles – they can still play their games, use the PlayStation Store, access trophies, and enjoy most single-player experiences.

But anyone who doesn’t comply with this process won’t be able to access the previously mentioned social features, live streaming on YouTube and Twitch, or third-party chat integrations like Discord, until their age is verified. There may also be in-game features that are blocked in some games, such as sharing content between players or in-game chat. Sony warns that additional restrictions may be imposed when individual publishers update their systems.

The policy requiring age verification is the UK’s Online Safety Act, which requires online platforms to protect children from harmful content and verify users’ ages.

He was there Coordinated age verification push By child safety groups and governments to reduce potential threats to children from online predators.

the Internet and digital safety law for childrenThe bipartisan bill introduced in March includes a section specifically for video game providers requiring them to establish safeguards for children.

Earlier this month, Robloxa popular gaming platform played by millions of children in the United States, has settled lawsuits worth up to $35 million. Nevada, Alabama and West Virginia Regarding complaints related to children’s safety. Roblox has started rolling out its own products Age verification After you encounter More than 140 lawsuits A lawsuit was filed in 2025 alleging that the company knowingly allowed child predators to target minors on its platform.