ValveSteam users in the UK now need to verify their age with a credit card to access mature-rated game store pages and community hubs.
The change went into effect on August 29, 2025, and applies to all accounts in the region. Anyone with a credit card already linked to their Steam account is automatically verified, while others must add one to continue viewing mature content.
Valve said the update is designed to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act, which requires online platforms to prevent minors from accessing harmful or age-inappropriate material.
Credit cards used as age check
The system uses credit cards as proof of age since they can only be issued to individuals aged 18 and over. By relying on banks for verification, Valve avoids handling personal identification directly while still meeting regulatory requirements.
“In the UK, Ofcom is the independent regulator for online safety,” Valve says in their 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.”
ValveOther platforms are also introducing new checks. Xbox is planning to enforce age verification for UK users by early 2026, which will cover social features like voice chat, text messages, and multiplayer invites. Discord has already introduced similar measures earlier this year.
Some players have looked for ways around the new restrictions. Reports suggest that features like photo mode in Death Stranding have been used to bypass face scans in certain verification systems, highlighting potential loopholes that regulators and companies may need to address.
