Steam UK Age Verification: What the New ID Check Is

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Got a license for that mature game, mate? Then where is your Steam UK age verification?

Ofcom has forced Valve to implement an online ID check for many of their store pages.

But are just UK users affected, and what does this mean for the future of the platform?

Steam UK Age Verification

Firstly, it is only the UK user-base is affected by the Steam UK Age Verification… for now.

New Developments on Steam

In compliance with the UK Online Safety Act and regulations set by Ofcom, Valve is now requiring users to verify their accounts using credit card information. Despite this being an unpopular decision, Steam has stated that it was the least objectionable option among other potential implementation methods they had considered.

— Chibi Reviews (@ChibiReviews) August 30, 2025

Additionally, a notice about verification that you might encounter or hear directly in the United Kingdom indicates that identification is required. This change is due to the strict implementation of the Online Safety Act, which has led Valve to make such an addition.

As an enthusiast, I’m excited about the Online Safety Act 2023! This law is all about safeguarding both kids and adults in our digital world. It ensures that platforms such as Steam will authenticate the age of their users through Ofcom, which helps to keep potentially harmful content offline, making the internet a safer place for everyone.

Instead, the process involves asking users to provide their personal identification and photos of themselves. On the other hand, the age verification system for mature games on Steam UK solely requests credit card details.

In the UK, users who want to access specific Steam pages need to input their own credit card details into their profiles. This initial process involves a £0 hold transaction that doesn’t take any money but verifies the card. Since only individuals aged 18 and over are eligible for credit cards in the UK, this complies with relevant regulations. Moreover, Valve prioritizes privacy and considers this method to be the least intrusive way of verifying identity.

Despite being intended to safeguard children, numerous individuals contend that it actually undermines human rights instead. As for the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s take on the matter, they considered the legislation as posing a significant danger to internet safety, freedom of expression, and overall security.

Simultaneously, some individuals find themselves disgruntled, as having a service badge of 18+ years on Steam does not seem sufficient. Furthermore, the age verification process for Steam UK requires users who opt for debit cards or PayPal to venture out and acquire a credit card instead.

It’s Never Enough

However, the implementation of age verification on Steam UK raises some concerns, particularly in light of recent developments. Not long ago, we discussed potential censorship strategies and payment processors. Some individuals perceive this as a joint initiative aimed at implementing widespread internet censorship.

Only recently, infamous websites like 4chan and Kiwifarms took legal action against Ofcom; the situation has become so severe! Moreover, it’s important to note that, based on polls, there’s a strong disapproval among UK residents towards such activities in their region. However, they seem to be imposing these types of laws rigidly and without pause on platforms such as Steam, which many find unjustified.

Upon visiting the page about Fear and Hunger, I stumbled upon an unexpected warning: “I’m afraid I must ask for your identification here!” Not too long ago, a user encountered a similar situation when PayPal restricted her account after purchasing legitimate H-material on a certified website. Despite everything being above board and verified, she was suddenly prohibited from using the service.

Now imagine if your credit card company did the same because you bought Black Souls?

Despite finding the Steam UK Age Verification process annoying, it seems that Valve is exploring alternative solutions. In fact, there’s speculation they might be developing their own payment method following the recent issues. For now, though, UK users could consider setting up a credit card through their local branch as a temporary workaround.

Alternatively, you might choose to be patient and observe the situation unfold. It’s understandable if some consider these choices mature adult games. However, let’s wait until a broader range of games, perhaps as many as 18 different titles, becomes available. By then, it may well be necessary to have an online ID for GTA 6.

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2025-08-31 14:31