Steam introduces age checks for mature titles in the UK

As of August 29, 2025, Steam users in the UK must verify their age using a credit card to access mature-rated game store pages and community hubs.

This new policy affects all UK-based accounts. Users who already have a credit card linked to their Steam account are automatically verified. Others will need to add a valid credit card to continue viewing content rated for adults.

Valve implemented this change to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA), which mandates that digital platforms restrict access to harmful or age-inappropriate content for minors. The system relies on credit cards as an age verification method because, in the UK, credit cards are only issued to individuals aged 18 and above. This allows Valve to meet legal requirements without directly collecting personal identification information.

“In the UK, Ofcom is the independent regulator for online safety,” Valve explained in an official FAQ. “Ofcom’s guidance on the OSA states that one highly effective age assurance measure is credit card checks. This is because, in the UK, an individual must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a credit card; therefore, credit card issuers are obliged to verify the age of an applicant before providing them with a credit card.”

Steam isn’t the only platform adapting to these regulations. Xbox plans to implement age verification for UK users by early 2026, targeting features like voice chat, text messaging, and multiplayer invites. Discord rolled out similar protections earlier in 2025.

Despite the intentions behind these changes, some users are already looking for workarounds. Reports indicate that features like Death Stranding’s photo mode have been used to bypass face scans in other systems, hinting at potential loopholes that may need to be addressed as enforcement continues to evolve.