Sony Interactive Entertainment is rolling out mandatory age verification for adult PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts in the UK and Ireland, restricting key online social features starting in June 2026 unless users confirm they are 18 or older.
The company has begun notifying UK players via email, with the subject line urging them to “Verify your age to keep using communication features.”
The email states:
“As part of our compliance with global regulations, you’ll need to verify your age later this year to continue using PlayStation® communication features, such as messages and voice chat. You will still be able to access other PlayStation services, like games, trophies, and the Store, if you do not verify your age.”
This move aligns with the UK’s Online Safety Act, which imposes stricter obligations on online platforms to protect younger users from harmful content and interactions. Similar requirements are already being implemented or planned by competitors like Xbox.
What features will be affected?
According to PlayStation’s official UK FAQ, beginning in June 2026, unverified adult accounts will lose access to:
- Communication features (on console, PS App, and web): Voice chat, text chat/messaging, joining parties or group sessions, and connected/third-party experiences like Discord voice chat.
- Broadcasting and sharing: Streaming gameplay to YouTube or Twitch.
- Certain in-game features: In-game chat, messaging, and sharing or uploading user-generated content (UGC). Details may vary by title and could expand with game updates.
Core gameplay, single-player modes, trophies, and PlayStation Store purchases will remain fully accessible. Users who select “Verify Age Later” will simply have these social features disabled until they complete the process.
Who needs to verify and how?
The requirement applies only to adult accounts registered in the UK or Ireland. Accounts for users under 18 must be managed by a parent or guardian through Family Management settings; no separate adult verification is needed for properly set up child accounts.
Verification is a one-time process handled securely by third-party provider Yoti, known for its privacy-focused age estimation technology. Options include:
- Mobile number verification: Receive and enter a code =
- Facial scan: Take a selfie in good lighting; Yoti estimates age using facial geometry
- Government-issued ID: Scan a passport, driving licence, or national ID card.
The process typically takes a few minutes and can be completed via a web browser on a phone, tablet, or computer. PlayStation emphasizes that it does not store sensitive biometric data.
Sony recommends verifying early to avoid any disruption when the restrictions take effect.
In its communications, Sony stresses the goal of delivering “safe, age-appropriate experiences for players and families while respecting privacy and giving players and parents meaningful control.”
The policy is framed as compliance with local laws and broader global regulations aimed at shielding minors from inappropriate interactions in online gaming environments, where voice chat and messaging can sometimes expose younger users to toxicity, harassment, or adult content.
Under-18 players using an adult account will need their account type updated by a guardian.
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