Xbox first among major platforms to enforce strict age checks for 18+ game purchases in Australia

Microsoft has become the first major gaming platform to implement mandatory age verification for 18+ game purchases in Australia. Users of the Xbox Store and Microsoft Store, including those buying PC versions of games through these marketplaces, may now be prompted to confirm their age when attempting to purchase such content.

The company notified users by email about the new requirements, which take effect in August 2026. According to the message, age verification will become mandatory for purchasing or accessing apps and games rated 18+, in line with Australian regulations.

Microsoft offers several verification methods: email-based checks, facial age estimation via a "secure selfie," a credit card, or a government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport. The technical implementation is handled by London-based company VerifyMy.

Age verification technology has faced scrutiny this year. In February, security researchers claimed that verification provider Persona, used by Roblox, Twitch, and VRChat, is lax with information security and does far more than simply verify age. Discord also trialed the software on its UK users.

Separately, a 2025 Discord data breach compromised 70,000 government photo IDs. Alongside these obvious information security issues, growing concerns suggest that age verification technology, under the guise of protecting children from adult content, may serve as a trojan horse for broader surveillance.

As of early 2026, new age verification requirements are in effect in Australia, the UK, and 25 US states. However, not all companies are rushing to comply: Steam and PlayStation have yet to implement stricter age verification in Australia.