Valve Requires Credit Card Verification for 18+ Game Purchases in Australia
Valve has implemented a new age verification process on Steam in Australia. Players must now use a credit card to confirm their age before purchasing games intended for adults.
The Steam platform has introduced a new age verification method in Australia. Users seeking to purchase games rated 18+ must now use a credit card to confirm their identity.
This requirement is triggered when a user attempts to view the product page for games subject to age restrictions. According to the platform's prompt: "Valve is required to verify that users are at least 18 years of age before they can view content for adults. Please add a valid Australian credit card to continue viewing."
The new policy has drawn criticism, with some users noting that credit cards are not widely used in Australia, and many adults primarily use debit cards. They argue that acquiring a credit card solely to browse game store pages is impractical.
The move appears to be a response to Australian regulations regarding the distribution of adult content. Valve has not yet issued a public statement regarding this change.