Xbox is now asking users in Australia to verify their age before they’re able to purchase games rated at 18+ on the Xbox Store on Xbox consoles, as well as the Microsoft Store on PC.
The company has begun sending users in the country emails and Xbox messages letting them know they may be asked to verify their identity soon if they want to access R18+ games (via PressStart). Microsoft says it’s complying with Australian regulations.
There are several ways to do this, including email-based verification. You can also share your credit card or government ID, like a passport or driver’s license, with the company. Of course, facial verification is also available, meaning you’ll need to upload a selfie.
“As part of our compliance program in Australia, beginning late August 2026, adult Xbox accounts must verify their age to be able to access apps and games rated 18+ on the Microsoft and Xbox Store,” the message reads.
“Access to such content may be restricted unless you verify your age. Apps and games you already own won’t be affected,”
Depending on how long you’ve had your account, email verification may be the only thing you need to do. This is similar to how other services, such as PlayStation, have handled age verification in the UK.
Australia, the UK and several US states have all recently implemented age verification requirements to access a variety of websites and online services. While the limitations on which services can and cannot be accessed varies, many include online video games and chat apps like Discord.
In line with the rise of these initiatives – ostensibly designed to protect children from adult content – there’s also been plenty of pushback. Many legitimately argue this is simply another way for governments and private companies to collect more data on people who access the internet, and further limit the freedoms of users everywhere.
There’s also the obvious question of who collects the data, how secure it is, and whether it’s being used for other purposes. IDMerit and the Discord-linked Persona are two companies who suffered data breaches in recent years. In Discord’s case, the breach resulted in user data, including government IDs, leaking.
