UK consoles to implement PlayStation age-gating restrictions

Sony is starting to adhere to the UK’s Online Safety Act by letting PlayStation users know about the new age verification guidelines starting today. 

Gamers using PS4 and PS5 in Britain and Ireland must verify their age to use voice chat, messaging, parties, or related third-party communication apps starting in June.

"From June 2026, if you've not verified your age, you can still enjoy gaming on PlayStation, but certain features will remain inaccessible until age confirmation is complete," mentions Sony in an advisory. 

This verification will be essential for using features like live streaming or sharing gameplay on YouTube or Twitch from the console.

Sony has teamed up with Yoti for handling age verification in the UK and Ireland, allowing users to authenticate their age via a phone number, facial recognition, or identification card. 

Similar restrictions were applied by Microsoft on Xbox the previous year. Xbox also collaborates with Yoti for age verification in the UK, requiring gamers to be 18 or older to access full social features, including voice chat, messaging, and game invites.

Even though Sony won't mandate age checks for British and Irish PlayStation accounts until June, you are encouraged to verify early to maintain feature access.

Sony and Microsoft both are enforcing mandatory age verification in the UK as more segments of the Online Safety Act roll out this year.