PlayStation’s Age-Gating Restrictions Are Coming to UK Consoles Sony is rolling out PlayStation age verification in the UK and Ireland. PS4 and PS5 owners will need to verify their age or lose access to social features beginning June 2026. The requirement applies to adult accounts registered in the UK or Ireland and is being introduced to comply with local regulations, including the UK’s Online Safety Act. Users who have not completed age verification will still be able to play games on PlayStation, but communication features such as text-based messaging, voice chat, parties, and broadcasting will be unavailable until verification is complete. Age verification will also be required for sharing gameplay to platforms like YouTube or Twitch from a PlayStation console. Sony has partnered with Yoti to handle the age verification process in the UK and Ireland. Users can verify their age using one of three methods: a facial scan (taking a photo for age estimation), uploading official identification such as a driving license, passport, or ID card, or using a mobile number to receive a verification code via text message. The verification process only needs to be completed once per account. New adult accounts may be prompted during creation, while existing accounts may be asked to verify when attempting to use certain features. Sony recommends completing verification now to avoid interruptions later in 2026. This move aligns with similar actions taken by Microsoft on Xbox in the UK, where age verification is also required for full access to social features like voice and text communication. Both companies are implementing these changes as more provisions of the Online Safety Act come into force. For more information, users can visit the official PlayStation age verification FAQ page.
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