Xbox begins to require age verification in the UK: will it also arrive in Spain and other countries?

Microsoft introduces age verification measures in Xbox UK and could soon be extended to more countries.

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In Xbox, they have been strengthening their commitment to security and player protection, especially for younger players. As part of this strategy, Microsoft has activated a new age verification system in the UK, which is currently exclusive to that country. However, the measure has raised questions among users in other regions, who wonder if something similar will soon arrive in Spain, Mexico, or Colombia.

The verification affects accounts with a declared age of 18 or older and will be necessary to continue using social functions without limitations, such as voice chat, messaging, or game invitations. Xbox has confirmed that it does not impact games, history, or previous purchases, but those who do not verify their age will see their social use restricted to only friends starting in 2026.

Xbox Activates Age Verification in the UK: What it Means and What Methods are Used

Through an official statement, Xbox explains that this new step aims to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act, legislation that requires mechanisms to protect minors on digital platforms. Verification will be mandatory starting in 2026, although users can complete it voluntarily now to avoid future restrictions.

The platform offers several secure options for verifying age: official document, bank card, mobile operator, or estimated facial recognition. The entire process is encrypted, and according to Microsoft, the information is not stored or used for other purposes.

The most striking aspect is that for now, it only applies to the UK, but Xbox itself hints that they are considering extending it to more regions:

We hope to implement age verification processes in other regions in the future,” the statement explains.

This opens the door for the measure to eventually reach other countries, although a roadmap has not been confirmed. Xbox notes that each region will require a different approach and that they will work with local authorities to adapt to the regulations and culture of each territory. For parents, Microsoft continues to recommend creating child or youth accounts from the start, as these do not require additional verification and can be easily managed from the Xbox Family Settings app.

Will this system arrive in Spain or Latin America? For now, there is no official confirmation. But everything suggests that Xbox is exploring how to bring this verification to a global level, especially in regions with similar legal frameworks or growing interest in digital security.