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

Microsoft introduces age verification measures on Xbox UK and could soon extend to more countries.

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In Xbox, they’ve been strengthening their commitment to security and player protection, especially for younger gamers. As part of this strategy, Microsoft has activated a new age verification system in the UK, which is currently exclusive to that country. However, this 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 features like voice chat, messaging, or game invitations without limitations. Xbox has confirmed that it won’t impact games, history, or previous purchases, but those who don’t 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 in 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 age verification: official documents, bank cards, mobile operators, 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 notable aspect is that for now, it only applies to the UK, but Xbox itself hints that they’re 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 no roadmap has been confirmed. Xbox notes that each region will require a different approach and that they’ll work with local authorities to adapt to the regulations and culture of each territory. For parents, Microsoft continues to recommend creating child or teen accounts from the start, as these don’t require additional verification and can be easily managed through the Xbox Family Settings app.

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