Steam Updates Age Verification Rules in Australia

A New Approach to Age Identification

Steam has updated its policy in Australia to comply with local legislation, which mandates that users under 18 cannot access R18+ rated content. Over the past two months, the platform required users to link a bank card for age verification, a process that created significant hurdles for many.

Under the new rules, Steam will automatically consider a user an adult if their account is at least nine years old and is linked to a consistent email address or billing information. This means long-term users will no longer need to submit additional documentation or payment card details to access restricted content.

Remaining Challenges

While account-based verification offers a solution for many, the system still has limitations. If a user has changed both their email address and residence within the last nine years, the system may fail to verify them due to inconsistent billing data.

Valve has acknowledged that this method is not perfect and does not guarantee full access for every user. The company stated that it is actively working on alternative solutions to satisfy Australian law while minimizing the collection and storage of personal user data.

Competitor Approaches

Other digital storefronts manage this issue through different methods. Some platforms utilize services like Yoti, which offer verification via ID cards or facial scanning. Meanwhile, the Microsoft Store and YouTube rely on the VerifyMy system, which validates users based on their email addresses.

These strict Australian regulations highlight how global tech giants must adapt to local laws. Although these changes currently only apply to the Australian market, similar practices may emerge in other regions as digital safety and age-gating become increasingly prioritized.