Xbox is now requiring users in Australia to verify their age before they can purchase games rated 18+ on the Xbox Store and the Microsoft Store on PC. This change, which began in late August 2026, is in compliance with Australian regulations.
Users in Australia may receive emails or Xbox messages notifying them of the new verification process. To comply, individuals can choose from several methods, including email-based verification, sharing credit card information, submitting government-issued identification such as a passport or driver's license, or utilizing facial verification through a selfie upload.
The requirement states that access to R18+ content may be restricted if age is not verified, though games already owned by the user will not be affected. Similar age verification processes are already in place on platforms like PlayStation in the UK, and Australia, the UK, and several US states have recently introduced similar mandates for accessing various online services, including video games and chat applications.
These age verification initiatives, ostensibly designed to protect minors from adult content, have also drawn criticism. Concerns have been raised about the potential for increased data collection by governments and private companies, as well as the risk to user freedoms. Questions also persist regarding the security of collected data and its potential misuse, with past data breaches involving companies like IDMerit and Persona highlighting these vulnerabilities.