When you use the Xbox retailer to purchase both Xbox or PC video games—and sure, the latter is feasible—it’s possible you’ll be prompted to confirm your age the subsequent time you attempt to purchase an R18+ recreation.
Microsoft confirmed as a lot by way of emails despatched to customers over the weekend, which I obtained. “Beginning August 2026, to adjust to Australia rules, it’s possible you’ll have to confirm your age earlier than buying or accessing apps and video games rated 18+ on Microsoft Retailer and Xbox Retailer,” the e-mail reads.
To confirm your age with Microsoft you need to use email-based verification, a facial age estimation examine by way of “safe selfie”, a bank card or a authorities issued ID which might embrace a driver’s license or passport. Verification is completed by way of London-based tech firm VerifyMy.
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Age verification software program has come below deserved scrutiny this 12 months. In February, safety researchers declare to have discovered that verification supplier Persona isn’t solely lax with data safety but additionally does much more than merely confirm your age. Persona is among the many most generally used verification suppliers, with Roblox, Twitch and VRChat utilizing the software program. Discord trialed it on its UK customers.
Individually, a 2025 Discord knowledge breach resulted in 70,000 authorities photograph IDs being compromised. Dovetailing with these apparent information safety points are rising fears that age verification know-how, below the guise of defending kids from grownup content material, is only a malicious program for extra surveillance.
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As of early 2026 each Australia and the UK have new age verification necessities, as do 25 states within the US. That mentioned, not all corporations are appearing quick to abide: Steam, as an illustration, hasn’t carried out extra rigorous age verification in Australia, nor has PlayStation.
