Steam Age Check Locks Out 65% of Australians [2026]
tech-insider.org
Steam now blocks 18+ games in Australia without a verified credit card. Here's why 65% of adults are locked out, and how it compares to Xbox.

“Steam started blocking Australian users from viewing or buying 18+ rated games on September 9, 2026, unless they attach a valid credit card to their account. Valve’s rollout affects hundreds of mature-rated titles, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal, and it doesn’t matter whether the account is brand new or fifteen years old with a library full of paid-for adult games. Without a credit card on file, those store pages, search results, and even home-page recommendations simply disappear.”

  • eremophila@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
    1·
    6 hours ago

    I’m not aware of steam giving any reason for anyone to believe they are resisting anything, they appear to be doing the opposite since the Australian government wants ID on everything digital.

    Wanting to believe they are playing a game, doesn’t mean that they are.

    I’m guessing credit card applications have increased in the last week.

    • Nath@aussie.zoneMEnglish
      2·
      5 hours ago

      Australian government wants ID on everything digital

      This is incorrect. In fact, the OAIC recommends that providers do the opposite:

      The OAIC encourages entities to adopt a ‘privacy by design’ approach when selecting an assurance method. A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is a systematic assessment that identifies the privacy impact on individuals, and sets out recommendations for managing, minimising or eliminating that impact. A PIA demonstrates commitment to, and respect of, individual’s privacy.

      Plus, there are a bunch of extra rules if you do have ID on your users. I don’t know how you got that impression, but it is mistaken.