This article was updated by Andrea Trama on 21 April 2026, with reference to the June 2026 deadline for the UK and Ireland. First published April 20.
PlayStation will begin implementing age verification measures later this year to comply with global regulations, according to a message sent by Sony Interactive Entertainment to PlayStation users around the world. Users who fail or decline age verification will not be able to access voice chat or messaging on their PlayStation consoles.
Sony's age verification measures are the latest in a string of similar changes implemented by gaming companies and regulators alike. In late 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) into state law, which requires all devices with the operating system to implement age verification upon account creation. Given the broad scope of AB 1043 in California, Sony will likely be required to add age verification to each PlayStation console that has internet access. AB 1043 takes effect January 1, 2027.
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PlayStation to implement age verification later this year
Following news that platforms like Steam have implemented age verification measures in countries like the UK to comply with local laws, Sony has said it will roll out its own measures globally. Sony Interactive Entertainment announced in an email to some PlayStation users that age verification will be implemented in late 2026. However, Sony did not provide an exact date for the enactment of age verification. Users who do not comply or refuse to comply with the age verification requirements will not be able to use voice chat or messaging on their PlayStation consoles until they verify their information. Sony says this is a one-time check that will only take a few minutes to complete, and if you do so in advance, you will still be able to access voice and text features.
According to PlayStation's FAQ section about the announcement, age verification will be implemented starting in June 2026. Without authentication, users will not be able to access the following features:
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message
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Voice chat
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broadcast
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party
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Inconsistency integration
However, Sony's age verification measures do not completely block system functionality. Sony added that access to other PlayStation services, including the PlayStation Store, trophies and gameplay, will not be affected by age verification measures. According to a ResetEra forum thread, Sony's email was primarily received by users in the UK and Ireland, with some comparing it to age verification measures implemented by Xbox in those countries in late 2025. It's unclear how much other countries or regions will be affected by the launch. Sony's age verification email notice is as follows:
Sony Interactive Entertainment is committed to providing safe, age-appropriate experiences for players and their families while respecting privacy and giving players and parents meaningful control over their gaming experiences.
As part of global compliance, you'll need to verify your age later this year to continue using PlayStation communication features, including messaging and voice chat. You can still access other PlayStation services, including games, trophies, and the Store, without verifying your age.
This is a one-time verification and usually takes a few minutes. Completing this in advance will help you continue to have access to communication features when you want to use them.
Age verification remains a controversial topic.
The implementation of age verification measures has been a controversial and negative topic for gamers. When Discord announced in early 2026 that it would implement age verification across its entire platform, some users responded by migrating to other voice chat apps and canceling their Discord Nitro subscriptions in protest. Discord then announced that it would delay the launch of age verification to the second half of 2026 and said it would be more transparent about the process moving forward.
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In addition, games such as roblox Self-age verification measures were problematic, with users saying their chat history was deleted as a result. Considering the negative aspects surrounding age verification laws globally, only time will tell how Sony's plans play out.
