Xbox now requires Australians to prove their age to access games rated 18+, though "games you already own won't be affected"
Xbox is now asking users in Australia to verify their age before they're able to purchase games rated at 18+ on the Xbox Store on Xbox consoles, as well as the Microsoft Store on PC. Read more
Microsoft's Xbox is requiring Australian users to confirm their age to access games rated 18+ on the Xbox Store and Microsoft Store on PC. The company is notifying users via email and messages, informing them they may be asked to verify their identity soon for R18+ games. Microsoft claims it is complying with Australian regulations, offering various methods to verify age, such as email verification, sharing credit card details, government ID, or facial verification through a selfie upload.
Apps and games already owned will remain unaffected. This move echoes measures taken by services like PlayStation in the UK. Age verification requirements have been implemented in Australia, the UK, and some US states, impacting online video games and chat apps. However, there have been concerns about data collection, security, and potential misuse of personal information, as seen in data breaches involving IDMerit and the Discord-linked Persona.
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