Will Steam soon add ID age verification?
For those that don't know in UK big websites require you to verify you are over 18. EU passed similar laws too.
https://www.techradar.com/computing/cyber-security/after-the-uk-online-age-verification-is-landing-in-the-eu

This is a deal-breaker for me since I don't want to give my ID to play or download games on steam.

Is steam planning something similar?
Last edited by marac; 14 Aug @ 5:46am
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If law is passed in a country that requires age verification for platforms like Steam, they'll be forced to get it done or risk being fined or even lose their business in that country altogether.

Right now I think we're in the "wait and find out" stage. I'm in AUS and there's nothing like that going on here that I'm aware of. Time will tell what happens here.
T9 14 Aug @ 5:54am 
Deal-Breaker, why? Everyone knows who you are....
Kyrus86 14 Aug @ 6:02am 
Originally posted by T9:
Deal-Breaker, why? Everyone knows who you are....
If everyone knew there wouldn't be a need for an id check...
marac 14 Aug @ 6:03am 
Originally posted by T9:
Deal-Breaker, why? Everyone knows who you are....
then why do they need my id?
Originally posted by datCookie:
If law is passed in a country that requires age verification for platforms like Steam, they'll be forced to get it done or risk being fined or even lose their business in that country altogether.
As they haven't done it for Germany that's not a given. In fact the more likely outcome based on what happened there would be the removal of access to sex based games and even the discussion forums.

Bear in mind they haven't targeted games specifically or even generally, they've targeted pornographic content and exposure to hate material (effectively) or material that will 'harm' a child (suicide discussion etc...)

If it targeted adult material in general, e.g. games rated 18 such as GTA and was a requirement in enough countries then I can see Valve actually going down the age verification route, otherwise...
Hopefully, yes.
Forge99 14 Aug @ 7:11am 
Originally posted by marac:

This is a deal-breaker for me since I don't want to give my ID to play or download games on steam.

Buy VPN and log in from jusrisdiction that doesn't require your ID.
Originally posted by Forge99:
Originally posted by marac:

This is a deal-breaker for me since I don't want to give my ID to play or download games on steam.

Buy VPN and log in from jusrisdiction that doesn't require your ID.

Lying about your region is against Steam's TOS. You can lose your account.
Originally posted by Forge99:
Originally posted by marac:

This is a deal-breaker for me since I don't want to give my ID to play or download games on steam.

Buy VPN and log in from jusrisdiction that doesn't require your ID.
When you go to make a purchase it defaults to the billing address having to match the payment method. That is when the use of vpn is meaningless because any restriction for the region applies.
Originally posted by The nameless Gamer:
Originally posted by Forge99:

Buy VPN and log in from jusrisdiction that doesn't require your ID.

Lying about your region is against Steam's TOS. You can lose your account.
Then read the terms of use again carefully, because your statement is wrong. Try to understand them. Preferably several times.
Last edited by ペンギン; 14 Aug @ 7:30am
Wolfpig 14 Aug @ 7:46am 
Originally posted by datCookie:
If law is passed in a country that requires age verification for platforms like Steam, they'll be forced to get it done or risk being fined or even lose their business in that country altogether.


In Germany the seller is required to check the age of the buyer.....for all Games since 2002 (in fact they are more or less required to check everything age 16 or above, as an ID is earliest given with 16) in physical stores.


Onlinestores some Onlinestores use (or used) a loophole based on Television laws....or just plain ignore that like Valve with Steam.
AmaiAmai 14 Aug @ 7:51am 
I would never give a private company my ID. Certainly not Steam.

Paypal just asked me for my ID and I said no.

They are trying to ask for ID verification there too. Just wait :steamhappy:
Originally posted by AmaiAmai:
I would never give a private company my ID. Certainly not Steam.

Paypal just asked me for my ID and I said no.

They are trying to ask for ID verification there too. Just wait :steamhappy:
This only works as long as it remains optional. In many areas of life, there will be no escape from that in the long term...unless something fundamental changes.
marac 14 Aug @ 8:04am 
Originally posted by AmaiAmai:
I would never give a private company my ID. Certainly not Steam.

Paypal just asked me for my ID and I said no.

They are trying to ask for ID verification there too. Just wait :steamhappy:
same, they aren't government
I am going to go back to piracy if it happens
My country is firmly against such policies, so here they won't be requiring such a violation to human rights. Hope your countries improve and become respectable to this degree. Best of luck friends
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