Xbox age verification is booting UK users from accounts and games, with Microsoft aware of issue

Microsoft has begun to implement mandatory age verification to comply with the UK Online Safety Act. Unfortunately, the checks are wreaking havoc on gamers in the country. Some players are reporting being randomly signed out of Xbox accounts and games. According to the company’s support page, it’s currently looking into the problem.

Age verification is a headache for consumers

The new measures aim to shield minors from harmful predators or content. Yet, even holders of Xbox accounts that have existed for 18 years or more must complete the process. The regulations have already faced blowback for introducing privacy concerns. Now, they are interfering with the software and services buyers have paid for.

Redditors are sharing horror stories about hours wasted contending with the age verification requests. SymbioticAxehead detailed an interruption to a Helldivers 2 session. A message appeared warning that multiplayer communication was unavailable. None of the options, including submitting live photos or mobile numbers, proved successful.

Some players eventually regained full access to their accounts and connected features. Others remain locked out after 24 hours of frustration. Microsoft has posted an update about the issue on its support site:

If you encountered an error while trying to verify your age, we’re aware of the issue and working to fix it.

Even if users aren’t logged out, always-online Xbox games depend on potentially restricted social features. However, beyond the inconvenience factor, there are also privacy concerns. After the passing of the UK Online Safety Act, Microsoft enlisted the third-party Yoti platform to process IDs. Gamers may worry that their information will be sold or stolen in a security breach.

What is the risk of submitting IDs?

The recent Discord announcement highlighted how resistant critics are to compulsory age verification. Chatters who don’t share a video selfie or other identification can't participate in servers with mature content. In response, users have demonstrated their disapproval by cancelling Nitro subscriptions.

While Microsoft is currently focused on the UK, it plans to bring similar safeguards to other regions. Hopefully, it will iron out the wrinkles in the process before they impact other gamers.