PlayStation will begin rolling out age verification measures sometime later this year to comply with global regulations, according to a message from Sony Interactive Entertainment to PlayStation users worldwide. Users who fail or refuse to verify their age will not be able to access voice chat or messages from their PlayStation console.
Sony's age verification measure is the latest in a series of similar changes implemented by both gaming companies and regulators. In late 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) into state law, which would require all devices that have an operating system to implement an age check when an account is created. Given the broad scope of AB 1043 in California, this would likely force Sony to add an age check to every PlayStation console that has access to the Internet. AB 1043 enters into force on January 1, 2027.
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PlayStation will implement age verification later this year
Following news that platforms such as Steam have implemented age verification measures in countries such as the UK to comply with local laws, Sony said it would implement its own measures worldwide. Sony Interactive Entertainment announced via email to some PlayStation users that it would implement age verification sometime later in 2026. However, Sony stopped short of offering an exact date for its age verification. Users who fail or refuse to comply with the age verification requirement will not be able to use voice chat or messaging on a PlayStation console until they have verified their information. Sony stated that it's a one-time check that would only take a few minutes to complete, and doing it in advance would allow them to continue to access voice and text features.
However, the Sony age verification measure ends with a complete lockout of system functions. Sony added that access to other PlayStation services, including the PlayStation Store, trophies and playing games, will not be affected by any age verification measures. According to a ResetEra forum thread, Sony's email has been predominantly received by users in the UK and Ireland, with some users comparing it to the age verification measures Xbox implemented within those countries by the end of 2025. It's unclear how many other countries or territories will be affected by the rollout. Sony's age verification email reads as follows:
At Sony Interactive Entertainment, we are committed to creating safe, age-appropriate experiences for players and families while respecting privacy and giving players and parents meaningful control over their gaming experience.
As part of our compliance with global regulations, you will need to verify your age later this year to continue using PlayStation communication features, such as messaging and voice chat. You will still be able to access other PlayStation services, such as games, trophies and the store, if you do not verify your age.
This is a one-time check and usually only takes a few minutes. Completing it in advance will help you continue to access 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 to say the least. Earlier in 2026, when Discord announced that it would implement age verification across the platform, some users responded by migrating to other voice chat apps and canceling their Discord Nitro subscriptions in protest. Discord then announced it would delay the rollout of its age verification until the second half of 2026, saying it would be more transparent about the process moving forward.
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In addition, games such as Roblox has run into issues with its own age verification measures, as users have reported that their chat history has been deleted as a result. Given the negativity surrounding age verification laws worldwide, time will tell how Sony's plans will fare in comparison.
