PS5 Users in UK and Ireland Will Soon Have to Verify Their Age for Messaging and Voice Chat

Sony appears to be rolling out a new requirement for PS5 users in select regions. Players in the UK and Ireland are reportedly being notified that age verification will soon become mandatory for those looking to use certain features on the console.

PS5 users in UK and Ireland to verify age for chat features

According to the notification sent to users, those who want to continue using messaging and voice chat on PlayStation 5 will need to verify their age later this year. The move is said to be in compliance with evolving global regulations around online safety.

The process itself looks fairly straightforward, at least on paper. Users can scan a QR code shown on their console, which redirects them to Sony’s official verification page. From there, three options are available.

First, there is a facial scan option, where users can take a selfie for an automated age estimation. Next, there is ID verification using documents like a passport or driver’s license. Lastly, users can opt for mobile verification, which involves entering a code sent via text message.

That being said, this rollout seems limited for now. At the time of writing, only users in the UK and Ireland are seeing these prompts, though it may expand to other regions over time. Sony has detailed everything related to age verification check in a FAQ page.

Image credit: PushSquare

Privacy concerns may shape how players respond

At a time when stricter online safety laws are being enforced, especially across Europe, this kind of verification is not entirely surprising. Similar measures are already being applied across platforms like Reddit that host age-restricted content. However, concerns around data privacy and security are likely to surface. While Sony has provided multiple verification methods, it is still unclear how users will respond to sharing personal data, especially for features like voice chat.