Xbox is now requiring users to complete invasive and potentially risky age verification processes just to access basic social features like messaging, party chat, or game invites. This is being done to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act — but the way Microsoft is implementing it goes too far.

Users are being asked to submit sensitive personal data like:

Government-issued IDs
Credit card numbers
Facial scans through third-party providers
Mobile carrier details
These methods not only invade our privacy, but exclude millions of players who don’t have access to these verification tools or don’t feel safe handing over that kind of data.

We are Xbox users, parents, gamers, and privacy advocates. We demand that Microsoft:

Offer a safer, simpler, and non-invasive verification alternative (e.g., internal parental controls, community moderation, or optional self-verification).
Respect user privacy and stop requiring facial scans or ID documents just to access non-adult features.
Pause the rollout of these changes globally until meaningful user feedback is integrated.
While we understand the importance of protecting minors, age verification must not come at the cost of user trust, safety, and accessibility.

Let’s tell Xbox that we want gaming to stay inclusive, safe, and respectful of our digital rights.

🛑 Sign this petition to stop flawed and extreme age checks on Xbox now!