Overview
- Sony began emailing UK and Ireland players on Monday to complete a one‑time age check before June 2026 or lose access to messaging, parties, voice chat, and apps like Discord on PS4 and PS5.
- Users can verify with a mobile number, a face scan that estimates age, or a government ID, and Sony says the process usually takes a few minutes.
- Players who skip verification can still play games, earn trophies, and use the PlayStation Store, but communication tools, broadcasting, and sharing gameplay to YouTube or Twitch will be blocked.
- The rollout is limited to the UK and Ireland for now, with Sony indicating a phased expansion to other markets later in 2026.
- Early reactions focus on privacy and data security, and some users reported a congested verification website, reflecting broader tensions as platforms adopt age checks under tighter safety laws.