As of August 29, 2025, Valve has rolled out a mandatory age verification system for its UK-based Steam users who wish to access mature-rated game content. The new requirement involves linking a valid credit or debit card to a Steam account, a measure implemented to comply with the UK's controversial Online Safety Act, which mandates strict protections against underage access to adult content online. According to Valve's official communication, the verification process triggers a £0 authorization charge on the user's card to confirm its validity. Once a valid credit or debit card is associated with the Steam account, the user is considered "age verified" and will not need to complete the process again. The decision to adopt credit card checks as the primary method comes from guidance by Ofcom, the UK's independent regulator for online safety, which recognizes credit card issuance as a reliable age verification measure—credit card issuers must ensure applicants are at least 18 years old. Valve emphasized privacy protections in the new system, noting that the age verification process does not divulge users’ content preferences to payment providers or third parties. The company employs its own internal payment processing system, certified under PCI-DSS standards, to securely handle verification data. This approach was chosen over more invasive technologies such as AI-driven facial recognition scanning. The implementation notably restricts access to games officially marked as "Adult Only" on Steam within the UK. Games rated PEGI 18 remain accessible without additional verification. Reports indicate that some users currently bypass restrictions via VPNs or by having accounts registered outside the UK, although such workarounds risk future tightening under the evolving regulatory framework. This move aligns Valve with other major gaming companies adjusting to the Online Safety Act, including Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation platforms, both of which have introduced or are rolling out age verification mandates for UK users. Microsoft's system is optional currently but will become mandatory by early 2026. The UK's Online Safety Act has sparked widespread debate, with petitions against it gathering substantial support, reflecting concerns about privacy, technical feasibility, and the impact on user experience. However, the UK government remains firm on enforcing the legislation to ensure the protection of minors online. Valve’s age verification update marks a notable shift in how digital storefronts balance regulatory compliance, user privacy, and access to content. For the PC gaming community, especially those interested in adult-themed games, this new hurdle underscores the intensifying interface between technology platforms and government oversight in the digital age. As the UK gaming landscape evolves under new legislative demands, the industry is watching closely to gauge how other regions might follow suit and whether such stringent measures will become the norm across global markets.