PlayStation Age Verification has hit Big Ben and is now affecting UK users.
Due to UK law Sony have had to roll out new restrictions and rules for the userbase.
But what is this Government deciding who plays rule and how does it affect you?
PlayStation Age Verification
Firstly, if you are outside of the UK then you do not have to do the PlayStation Age Verification process… For now!
But for those in the United Kingdom you will find communications blocked from you. Features like Voice chat, text chat, Discord chat, Broadcasting and connection to third-party communication will be blocked. However, the worst is in-game chat messaging and sharing user generated content.
Although this will affect games differently by the nature of the software most will see the same straight block of multiplayer functions. Also streaming to YouTube and Twitch will be blocked as well.
But of course, Xbox users should fear the PlayStation Age Verification as it means the bell tolls for thee. This new rule is needed for accounts to complete once per account. Even existing adult accounts will be asked to verify if they try to use certain features.
Although to verify you can do so using multiple methods. The first is via a mobile phone number that links to the phones ID. Scarier is a facial scan or ID verification methods provided by Yuti. Unfortunately, Yoti themselves are pretty notorious for being bad only offering two methods of verification.
First being facial scan or by inputting a UK based credit card. Surely you trust this third party with your face pic and credit card number? Also, users report the facial recognition process failing even when they are over the age of 18.
However, let’s not forget Sony’s own track record of getting hacked. You can either trust a suspicious third party or a known incompetent 1st party.
Government Decides Station
The PlayStation Age Verification is to no one’s surprise a bad idea. It’s bad for UK users as now they have to unwillingly give their private information to a company known for being breached. Meanwhile Sony plans to activate this method globally so watch out US!
It is all tiresome. This machine is used for a few hours of fun playing the fun robot game. No, I do not want to give you my personal ID and information I am not boarding a plane!
Soon everything you do online will be tied to an ID and hey presto you just got a fine for calling a guy on SF6 a scrub! Some may argue this protects children online however this is not the case. Instead, it just forces them to access the features through alternative methods. Some more arguably more dangerous than the non-existent danger they were already in with a COD deathmatch lobby!
I am over the age of 18 and I have ID and guess what I am not doing this PlayStation Age Verification. Because this machine has no games to play online so why even bother?
But honestly if the price to pay is not messaging people online dice you I am still not giving you my Driver’s License!
If you really want to do it though here are the steps from the website. Be warned these guys get hacked semi regularly!
