As part of its ongoing commitment to enhance gaming safety for all, Xbox is rolling out a new age verification requirement specifically for adult players in the UK. This initiative aligns with the UK’s Online Safety Act, reflecting Xbox’s dedication to creating a secure, respectful, and enjoyable gaming environment for everyone.
Starting now, UK users aged 18 and over will receive prompts to complete a one-time age verification process when logging into Xbox with their Microsoft account. This new measure is designed to ensure that players enjoy age-appropriate experiences while still having access to social features, such as voice chat, text messaging, and game invitations.
Understanding the Online Safety Act
The Online Safety Act 2023, enacted in October 2023, is a key piece of legislation aimed at making the internet safer, particularly for children and vulnerable individuals. It places legal obligations on technology companies to identify and mitigate harmful content on their platforms.
What to Expect from Xbox’s New Initiative
“Beginning today, as part of our compliance program for the UK Online Safety Act and our ongoing investment in tools that promote age-appropriate experiences, players who indicate their account age as 18 or older and are logging into an Xbox experience with a Microsoft account will start receiving notifications to verify their age,” stated Kim Kunes, Vice President of Gaming Trust & Safety at Xbox, in a recent announcement.
This one-time verification process ensures that all players can enjoy age-appropriate experiences on the platform.
However, starting early next year, adult players in the UK who have not completed this verification will face some limitations on their social features within Xbox. While they can still enjoy their games, social interactions will be restricted to friends only until the verification is completed. Rest assured, this verification will not impact any previously made purchases, entitlements, gameplay history, achievements, or the ability to play and purchase games.
How to Verify Your Age
Players can verify their age through various secure methods, including presenting a government-issued ID, age estimation, mobile provider verification, and credit card checks. Xbox emphasizes that all personal information is encrypted, kept confidential, and solely used for the purpose of age verification. No data will be stored or repurposed.
To initiate the verification process, UK players can scan the QR code displayed on Xbox platforms or visit: https://aka.ms/XboxUKAgeVerification. For more information, including step-by-step instructions and privacy details, check out: aka.ms/XboxUKAgeSupport.
Global Availability
Xbox indicates that the online age verification initiative in the UK will pave the way for similar safety measures worldwide. This program is not limited to the UK and is anticipated to expand to additional regions in the future, with necessary adaptations to comply with local regulations and community needs.
“There is no universal solution for player safety; thus, these methods may vary based on region and gameplay experiences. We will collaborate with local communities, publishing partners, and regulators to find the best approach that respects player privacy while preserving the Xbox gaming experience,” Kunes added.
“We’ll keep players informed about the changes we’re implementing and the data we collect to better protect users on our platform.”
If you are an adult Xbox player in the UK, taking the time to verify your age now will help you maintain an uninterrupted social gaming experience. It’s a simple step towards ensuring a safer and more inclusive Xbox community for all.
