Sony will soon require users in the UK and Ireland to complete age verification to access certain features. The new security measures are optional at first, but will be enforced later in 2026.
Age verification is starting to become the norm for many online platforms, especially the ones that let users directly interact via direct messages or in a game. While other online services implemented these types of measures some time ago, others are just catching up.
While not all users have welcomed age verification security measures, the online industry has increased adoption of technical solutions that allow it to categorize users into the appropriate age brackets.
Sony is only the latest company to implement this feature. For now, it’s only aimed at the UK and Ireland PlayStation users.
“Age verification will be required later in 2026 for UK & Ireland adult accounts to access certain features. If you’re prompted, we recommend completing age verification to avoid interruptions later in 2026,” says the company on its support page.
“We use age verification to deliver the best PlayStation experience for your age and to help protect our younger users. “
Sony has made it clear that age verification won’t affect how people play games on its platform. Anyone can still play games on their consoles, but some options won’t be available until the procedure has been completed.
“If you have not completed age verification, you can continue playing on PlayStation but communication features won’t be available until you do. To keep using communication, broadcasting, and certain in-game features without interruption, we recommend verifying your age now,” the company explained.
Sony gives users the choice of a few methods of age verification, each with its own functionality. For example, mobile phone age verification relies on matching the information your mobile provider has on file for you. Basically, if you are the owner of the phone contract, you’re good to go.
There’s also the option to perform facial scanning.
“Our service provider, Yoti, uses its proprietary technology to estimate your age using the geometry of your face. Yoti deletes your facial geometry data as soon as your verification is complete. PlayStation never collects, stores, or otherwise processes your facial geometry data,” Sony says.
Finally, there’s the option to take a photo of your passport, driving license, or national ID. For this process, it might take a few minutes to confirm the identity.
Of course, players under 18 need to use an account managed by a parent or guardian.
While some online platforms have managed to implement age verification without much friction, the recent Discord problems made people apprehensive. Hackers managed to get ahold of users' private info stored by a third-party company that was dealing with age verification checks. And that data breach included ID copies.
It’s unclear if Sony will pursue age verification for other regions, but this seems to be the general direction.
Answer: PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland who have adult accounts must complete age verification by the end of 2026.
Answer: Features such as messaging, voice chat, broadcasting, and certain in-game functionalities require age verification. However, users can still play games without completing the process.
Answer: Users can verify their age through a mobile carrier check, a facial scan via Yoti, or by uploading a valid ID. Sony states that facial data collected during verification is deleted after the process is complete.
Answer: Sony introduced age verification to better protect younger users and tailor platform experiences. However, some users have raised privacy concerns, especially given Sony’s history with past data breaches.
Answer: Sony has not confirmed whether the age verification requirement will roll out to other regions.
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