Valve is enforcing a new requirement for UK Steam users to link a credit card to their accounts to access adult-oriented games. This change is part of their compliance with the UK’s Online Safety Act, which mandates age verification for adult content.

The only way to access mature content on Steam from the UK now is by registering a credit card, a method considered more secure than previous options which were easily circumvented.

Valve claims that this method ensures user privacy while maintaining compliance with legal regulations, asserting that the age verification process aligns with existing practices for handling payment details.

While many PEGI 18 rated games remain accessible, the restriction specifically targets adult-only content. Players have noted that VPN methods may still allow access to such games, showing the complexities of enforcing this new regulation.

As more platforms consider similar measures, some critics express concerns over the implications for user privacy and the effectiveness of such age verification systems.