Sony to require age checks for PlayStation communication features in UK, Ireland

Sony will begin requiring age verification for PlayStation users in the United Kingdom and Ireland to access certain communication and social features starting in June. The new policy applies to features including party joining, voice chat, text messaging, and integration with third-party chat programs like Discord. Some in-game communication tools and user-generated content sharing will also require age confirmation. Although enforcement will not begin until summer, PlayStation users in the affected regions are already being prompted to complete the verification process. The move follows similar age verification requirements implemented by other gaming platforms. Discord began rolling out age checks last year, though it later adjusted some plans to better protect user privacy. Roblox has also implemented age verification with mixed results. Age verification laws have gained traction in multiple states and countries since 2025 as a measure to protect children from inappropriate content. Critics have raised concerns about privacy risks and questioned whether such laws effectively achieve their intended goals.