age verification Archives

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Windows 11 will soon tell apps how old you are. Here’s how it works

Microsoft is introducing Windows Age APIs to improve age verification in applications by categorizing users into age groups and indicating whether their age has been independently verified. This initiative responds to increasing regulatory demands for stricter age verification laws in the US, UK, and EU. The APIs allow apps to ask users about their age group and verification status without accessing actual birth dates, enhancing privacy. However, only authorized applications can utilize these APIs after being assessed by Microsoft's Digital Safety platform. The Windows Age APIs are documented in the Windows SDK but are not yet active in Windows 11, with an expected rollout before the end of 2026.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Windows 11 will start telling apps your age, but Microsoft says it won’t share your birthday

Microsoft is integrating age verification directly into Windows 11, allowing applications to access users' age ranges (e.g., 13-15 or 18+) without disclosing their actual birthdays. This is facilitated through new system-level APIs, specifically the GetUserAgeRangeAsync function, which returns one of five defined age ranges: Under 10 (0-9), 10-12 (10-12), 13-15 (13-15), 16-17 (16-17), and 18+ (18 and above). Another API, GetAgeVerificationStatusAsync, indicates whether the age was independently verified with statuses like Verified, Unverified, OptedOut, TemporarilyUnavailable, or NotApplicable. Microsoft validates the identity of the calling app to ensure security, limiting access to these age signals. This initiative aligns with regulatory demands for enhanced child safety measures in regions like the UK, EU, and U.S., where states are moving toward operating-system-level mandates for age verification.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Australians must now prove their age to buy R18+ games on the Xbox store

Microsoft will require users to verify their age when purchasing games rated R18+ on Xbox and Microsoft Store starting in August 2026 to comply with Australian regulations.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Google Play Rolls Out Age Signals Worldwide: Get Tailored Per-App Safety Shields

Google has announced the global rollout of its Age Signals API for the Google Play platform, aimed at helping parents manage age-appropriate content for their children across Android applications from a single interface. Initially launched in Brazil, the tool will be extended to users in Australia and Canada by mid-August, with a full worldwide release expected later this year. The Age Signals API allows developers to customize in-app experiences based on the user's actual age, moving away from generic safety measures. Developers receive age range signals to adjust content and features accordingly, while adult users can voluntarily share their age range. Parents can centralize control through the Google Family Link app, sharing their child's age range once for automatic communication to participating apps. Age data is not shared by default, and parents can modify permissions at any time. The API enhances existing safety tools on Google Play, including mandatory standards for family-friendly apps and features in Google Family Link.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

“Compliance-in-advance is never enough to appease a zealous censor”: Robert Yang on the current challenge of bringing experimental gay games to Steam

Radiator Forever, a collection of short and experimental gay games by developer Robert Yang, has launched on Steam alongside its presence on Itch.io. Yang discussed the challenges faced by adult game creators, particularly due to payment processor issues and online regulations in the UK, which affect the viability of such games on major platforms. Users must log in to view the collection on Steam, and UK users need a valid credit card for age verification. The Steam listing is difficult to find without a direct link and is subject to geoblocking in certain regions. Yang explained that the anti-sexuality censorship campaign led by Collective Shout and payment processors prompted Itch to obscure many NSFW games. He noted that Valve has classified Radiator Forever as containing "frequent nudity and sexual content," which limits its visibility on Steam. Despite efforts to comply with content guidelines, Yang faced challenges due to perceived biases against indie developers compared to major publishers. The re-remastered collection includes enhancements like a completion percentage tracker and a tagging system for new content.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Discord Banned 8,000 Users for Posting Chessboards and Minecraft Screenshots

In May 2026, Discord's content moderation system mistakenly banned over 8,200 users due to a hash-matching system that identified harmless grid patterns as harmful content. This incident was worsened by two bugs: one that bypassed the intended upload-pause for human review and another that prevented the lifting of bans even after staff cleared the accounts. The images that triggered these bans included chessboard screenshots, Minecraft inventory grids, game texture patterns, Google Drive and spreadsheet tables, and standard UI grid layouts. Following the incident, all affected accounts were reinstated, and the problematic hash was neutralized. The situation occurred alongside Discord's efforts for age verification, which faced scrutiny due to a breach exposing ID documents of approximately 70,000 users.

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

Surprise, surprise, Minecraft players are already using mods to bypass Xbox’s new age restrictions

Xbox has implemented social restrictions for players in the UK who have not verified their age as over 18, in line with the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA). Players may receive a notification stating "chat is not allowed by account settings" due to this age verification requirement. Many Minecraft players on PC are using mods to bypass these restrictions. Following the OSA's introduction, VPN applications gained popularity, and a security breach last October exposed nearly 70,000 user ID photos from an age verification firm associated with Discord. The UK government plans to enforce stricter regulations for users under 16 starting next year, which may lead to increased efforts to take down mod solutions.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

YouTube Brings Back In-App Messaging Feature: Here’s How To Use It

YouTube has reintroduced its messaging feature, allowing users to share videos and engage in conversations directly within the app. This feature is currently available in the United States and select other regions, with plans for a wider rollout, including India. Users must be at least 18 years old to access the feature, which includes an age verification process. To enable it, users can create an invite link within the app to chat with known contacts. The feature is accessible in various countries, including the UK, Germany, France, and others. Users can share any YouTube video, but messages are not end-to-end encrypted and are subject to YouTube's Community Guidelines.

AppWizard

June 5, 2026

Google Wallet just fixed the most annoying part of online checkout

Google is expanding digital ID support to select European Union member states this summer, following successful launches in Brazil, India, Singapore, and Taiwan. The company is introducing age verification features that require minimal information sharing, allowing users to confirm their age without disclosing sensitive personal details. This is done in collaboration with European banking partner Sparkasse. Additionally, Google Pay Direct Checkout will enable consumers to use payment methods saved in Google Wallet directly on merchant checkout pages, streamlining the process. Security enhancements have been made to authentication systems to ensure fast online checkouts while protecting payment credentials and personal information.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Google Wallet App Will Soon Add Support for Digital IDs in Select EU Countries

Google plans to enhance its Google Wallet Android app by introducing support for digital IDs in select European Union countries this summer, following recent rollouts in Brazil, India, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. The app will support various types of state-issued identification, including passports from the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Taiwan, and Brazil, featuring selective disclosure for privacy. Google has partnered with Sparkasse Bank in Europe to simplify age verification on apps and websites without disclosing personal information. This integration is set to launch in the coming months, with plans for further collaborations. Additionally, Google is enhancing its Google Pay direct checkout feature in Europe to allow customers to view payment options directly on retailers’ checkout pages.