Sony to enforce age checks for PlayStation users in the UK starting in June

Sony has announced that UK-based PlayStation users will soon need to verify their age to maintain access to key social features, with enforcement set to begin in June 2026.

While players will still be able to access games and purchases, unverified accounts will face growing feature restrictions.

The change was detailed on a newly published PlayStation support page, but user reports on X and Reddit suggest that Sony began emailing affected users earlier this week. According to those reports, adult account holders are being prompted to scan a QR code and complete verification using a mobile phone number, government-issued ID, or a facial scan powered by identity verification provider Yoti.

Sony says the move is driven by compliance with UK regulations, particularly the Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to implement stronger safeguards for minors. The company frames the system as a way to deliver age-appropriate experiences while limiting exposure to potentially harmful interactions.

Age verification will apply to all adult PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts registered in the UK. New users may be required to verify their age during account creation, while existing users will encounter prompts when attempting to access certain features. Although optional for now, Sony warns that failing to complete verification before June 2026 will result in restricted functionality.

Unverified users will lose access to:

• Voice and text communication, including messages, party chat, and Discord integration
• Social and group features, such as joining parties or multiplayer communication sessions
• Broadcasting and sharing tools, including streaming to YouTube or Twitch
• In-game communication and user-generated content features

Sony notes that restrictions may expand over time as game developers update their systems, meaning additional in-game features could become unavailable without verification.

The verification process is handled by Yoti, a UK-based digital identity provider. Users can choose from several methods, including mobile number verification, ID submission, or AI-based facial age estimation.

Sony Interactive Entertainment, the company behind PlayStation, operates one of the largest gaming ecosystems globally, with tens of millions of active users. Its social features, particularly voice chat and multiplayer coordination tools, are central to how players interact on the platform.

While Sony emphasizes flexibility in verification methods, privacy concerns exist, particularly around biometric scanning and third-party data handling. Users wary of sharing sensitive data may prefer lower-friction options such as mobile-based verification.