PlayStation introduces age verification for online features

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that registration for age verification will begin in 2026. The measure is intended to comply with global regulations, including the Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), which was signed into law in California by Governor Gavin Newsom at the end of 2025. The law requires devices with an operating system to perform an age check when creating an account.

Implementation of age verification

PlayStation users who do not verify their age will not have access to key communication features such as messaging and voice chat. This comes in response to growing regulatory pressure, with age verification also being introduced by other gaming platforms, such as Steam.

Specific details on the requirements

The age verification process is intended to be a one-time check that may take a few minutes. Users who verify their age will be able to continue using voice and text communication on their consoles. However, for those who do not complete this step, other PlayStation features will remain available, including playing games and using the PlayStation Store.

Reactions to the change

Age verification remains a controversial topic within the gaming community. Users are often concerned about privacy and the potential consequences of sharing age information. Other platforms, such as Discord, have also faced backlash over their own age verification efforts, prompting some users to move to alternative communication tools.

With Sony planning to implement age verification, further debate is likely over the right balance between oversight and user privacy. The results of earlier rollouts by various companies will likely shape public perception of these changes.

Sony’s age verification, like that of other platforms, will be carried out in partnership with Yoti’s technology, which takes a privacy-focused approach to age checks. However, the rollout in the United States and possibly other regions remains unclear, and it has not yet been confirmed how broadly these measures will apply.

Future developments

With age verification set to arrive in 2026 and the related obligations of the Digital Age Assurance Act, gamers are watching closely for final implementation details and clarification on the policy Sony will follow. The impact on the user experience and community response will be crucial in shaping the future of online gaming on PlayStation.