Microsoft reveals 'longstanding' Xbox accounts will bypass new age verification laws
Another gaming domino has fallen, with Australia being the latest country to insist on age verification before allowing access to its more mature games. Like we've seen with the United Kingdom coming down hard on what younger people can view online, this has extended beyond typical NSFW sites like Pornhub.
July 2025 saw Xbox introduce new advisory age verification measures, suggesting that account holders verify their age as over 18 ahead of a mandatory requirement in early 2026. While this fell under the same Online Safety Act that is restricting social media for under-16s, other countries have followed suit, as Australia is the latest to roll out its own gaming clampdown.
There have been wild reports about kids drawing on mustaches to try and trick age verification software, but when it comes to Xbox, privacy concerns about handing over your financial details or a selfie might not be an issue.
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According to multiple reports, simply having an Xbox account for long enough will see you bypass age verification. With Xbox Live launching in 2002, and some of us having accounts since then on the OG Xbox, it makes sense that we'd be over the age of 18.
In messages sent to Xbox users, the gaming giant has reiterated that it's estimating ages "due to longstanding account activity." The company is automatically updating some accounts to 'Verified' without putting players through the wringer of age verification, as Microsoft adds: "You are no longer required to complete full age verification for uninterrupted access to social features on Xbox. While no further action is required, you can update your privacy and safety settings on Xbox at any time.”
At a time when Microsoft is under fire for a massive restructuring of Xbox and being dragged for mass layoffs, it's another win for the Green Team.
Whereas Sony is being sued over its plans for a disc-free PlayStation future, Microsoft is slowly winning over critics with whispers that the upcoming Helix console will be able to play five generations of Xbox games, there could be a 'free' version of Game Pass (with ads), and that adults won't have to verify their accounts.
Although many cheered the 'W' on social media, others mocked Microsoft's seemingly cavalier response to age verification.
In the UK, non-compliance with the OSA can trigger fines of up to £18 million or 10% of Microsoft's qualifying global annual turnover, while Australia's Age-Restricted Material Codes can demand up to A$49.5 million per breach.
Laughing at how Microsoft will seemingly verify your Xbox account simply due to it being 'longstanding', one person on Reddit chuckled: "This is like when liquor stores stop IDing you after glancing at your hairline."
Others were big fans as another added: "Makes sense, if the account itself is old enough then age verification becomes a waste of time, money, and corporate resources."
A third applauded: "Steam, Blizzard anyone else, pay attention! This is how to do it. My 20+ yr old account speaks for itself."
Calling out a potential workaround, many in the replies claim they're parents and are simply letting their children use their verified accounts to play. Even though there are massive penalties for companies that let kids slip through the net, there are consequences for adults who want to help younger users bypass the system.
Still, Microsoft is being praised for using 'common sense' with this one.