Valve has initiated a significant change for its UK users on the Steam platform, mandating that individuals wishing to browse or purchase “mature” games must have a valid credit card on file. This decision is a direct response to the UK’s Online Safety Act, which aims to prevent under-18s from accessing adult content. While Valve’s strategy is straightforward and potentially effective, it has already sparked considerable backlash among users.
Child protection law with adult consequences
The Online Safety Act, enacted in 2023 under the previous Conservative government, has recently begun to be enforced. The UK’s media regulator, Ofcom, has instructed platforms to implement “highly effective” age verification measures for pornographic, violent, and other adult materials. Non-compliance could result in fines reaching up to 10% of a company’s global revenue or even a ban from operating in the UK.
With approximately one-third of UK consumers relying on debit cards or alternative payment methods, Valve’s current system poses challenges. It does not accommodate government-issued IDs or bank-based age checks, potentially barring legitimate adult players from accessing significant portions of the store due to identification issues. Valve has suggested that users reach out to their local banks for assistance, while also offering the option to “open a Steam support ticket” if banking solutions fall short.
Privacy overreach
Concerns regarding privacy have emerged, with advocates arguing that such mandatory checks, regardless of their simplicity, represent an overreach. Organizations like the Open Rights Group and the Electronic Frontier Foundation caution that requiring users to provide financial information merely to browse a storefront sets a troubling precedent. Additionally, players on platforms such as Reddit have reported glitches during the rollout, including failed £1 authorization charges and uncertainty over whether debit cards are acceptable.
For popular titles like Call of Duty or Cyberpunk 2077, the changes may not have an immediate impact, as these games are classified as PEGI-18 for violence but do not fall under the “adult content” category as defined by Ofcom. The legislation primarily targets niche erotic or explicit titles, which are likely to see a significant decline in sales within the UK market. Developers have already expressed concerns about increasing censorship as payment processors and storefronts adopt a more cautious approach.
Ultimately, while the Online Safety Act aims to protect minors from explicit content, it may inadvertently restrict access for adult gamers, leaving them locked out of aspects of their own hobby.
