Steam Updates Australian Age Verification to Include Account History
Valve now accepts nine-year-old accounts as proof of age for restricted games.
1New Verification Criteria
Valve has expanded its Australian age verification process to include account history. Users with accounts at least nine years old, featuring consistent email addresses or billing information, are now automatically verified. This change follows a controversial initial rollout that relied solely on credit card ownership to access R18+ rated titles.
2Historical Data Requirements
The new system mandates consistency in user data over the nine-year period. If a user has updated both their email address and physical billing location during this timeframe, they may fail the automated check. Valve acknowledges this method is not ideal for all users who frequently move or change contact details.
3Previous Credit Card Mandate
The initial compliance strategy required users to link a credit card to their Steam account to view restricted games like Doom. This caused significant friction, as many Australians do not utilize credit cards for digital storefronts. The policy effectively locked many adult users out of mature content for two months.
4Regulatory Compliance Context
Steam implemented these measures to align with Australian legal requirements regarding R18+ game classifications. The government mandates strict age verification for mature content to prevent minors from accessing restricted titles. Valve is currently navigating the balance between these legal obligations and minimizing the amount of sensitive personal data collected.
5Industry Standard Comparisons
Other digital storefronts utilize different verification technologies to meet similar legal standards. The Microsoft Store employs VerifyMy, a service also used by YouTube, to validate user age via email. Meanwhile, other platforms have integrated digital age assurers like Yoti, which facilitate ID scans or facial recognition to confirm user identity.
6Ongoing Development Efforts
Valve has publicly stated that it is actively exploring additional verification methods to improve accessibility. The company aims to satisfy Australian regulations while maintaining user privacy standards. They recognize that the current reliance on account age and credit card data does not cover the entire user base effectively or fairly.
7Impact on User Access
The update restores access to mature titles for long-term Steam users who previously lacked credit cards. However, newer accounts or those with inconsistent profile histories remain restricted unless they provide alternative proof. This creates a tiered access system based on account tenure rather than a universal verification standard for everyone.
8Future Verification Outlook
As Valve continues to refine its compliance strategy, users should monitor for further updates regarding identity verification. The company remains under pressure to provide more inclusive options that do not rely on financial instruments. Future solutions may eventually mirror the biometric or ID-based systems currently utilized by other major digital retailers.
Original article: PC Gamer — Steam Updates Australian Age Verification to Include Account History