EU Kids Act and the impact on gaming: age verification and access
In brief
- Discover how the EU Kids Act could affect access to online games with new age-verification requirements.
- PlayStation has already implemented age-verification checks in the UK and Ireland, which could foreshadow broader changes across the industry.
Analysis by GAME-scanner
The EU Kids Act, which is set to be presented to the European Parliament in September 2023, could significantly affect access to online games. Age verification may involve different methods, such as facial recognition or verification via mobile numbers. This raises questions about privacy and the feasibility of implementation across different EU member states. The legislation has already been under discussion for more than a year, underlining its urgency and importance.
What does this mean for players?
For gamers, the EU Kids Act could mean having to take extra steps to access certain games. This is especially relevant for younger players who want to play popular titles that fall under the new rules. The specific games that will be classified as risky are not yet known, creating uncertainty for both players and developers. Implementing age verification could also lead to longer wait times and frustration when logging into platforms, negatively affecting the user experience.
Timeline
April 2023: Discussion of the EU Kids Act begins.
September 2023: The legislation is presented to the European Parliament.
2026-09-14: Expected implementation date of the EU Kids Act, pending approval.