PlayStation is introducing age verification checks later this year to meet international rules. If users don’t complete or skip these checks, they won’t be able to use voice chat or send messages on their PlayStation consoles.
Sony’s new requirement to verify players’ ages is part of a growing trend in the gaming industry. California recently passed a law (AB 1043) that will require age verification for anyone creating an online account on any device. Because of this law, which takes effect on January 1, 2027, Sony will likely need to add age verification to all PlayStation consoles that connect to the internet.
PlayStation to Implement Age Verification Later This Year
After Steam began verifying users’ ages in the UK to meet legal requirements, Sony announced it will do the same worldwide. In an email to PlayStation users, Sony said this age verification will happen sometime in 2026, though they haven’t given a specific date. Players who don’t complete the check or choose not to participate will lose access to voice and text chat until they verify their age. Sony assures users it’s a quick, one-time process that will allow them to continue using these features without interruption.
Sony is introducing age verification, but it won’t restrict all PlayStation features. Users will still be able to access the PlayStation Store, earn trophies, and play games. The initial notifications about this change have mainly been sent to players in the UK and Ireland, similar to age verification steps Xbox took in those regions last year. It’s currently unknown which other countries will be affected. Here’s what Sony communicated in their email notification:
At Sony Interactive Entertainment, we prioritize creating fun and safe gaming experiences for everyone, especially children and families. We also believe in protecting players’ privacy and giving them – and their parents – real control over how they play.
To meet international rules, we’ll be asking you to confirm your age later this year if you want to keep using PlayStation features like messaging and voice chat. You’ll still be able to enjoy games, trophies, the PlayStation Store, and other services even if you don’t verify.
This is a quick, one-time verification that usually only takes a few minutes. Getting it done now will ensure you can keep using our messaging features without interruption.
Age Verification Remains a Controversial Topic
Age verification has been a really unpopular topic with gamers. When Discord announced plans to verify the age of all its users earlier in 2026, many protested by leaving the platform for other voice chat apps and canceling their paid subscriptions. Discord responded by pushing back the rollout of age verification until later in the year and promising to be more open about how it would work.
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Games such as Roblox have also faced problems with age verification, with some users reporting their chat logs were deleted. Considering the current concerns about age verification laws worldwide, it remains to be seen how Sony’s approach will perform.
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2026-04-21 01:04