Battle.net adds age verification for UK players

Blizzard has added age verification to Battle.net for users in the United Kingdom to comply with the Online Safety Act. The requirement is live now and applies only where verification is required by law.

UK accounts that are registered as over 18 will see an Age Verification banner in Account Settings. Players can confirm their age using a government-issued ID check, a credit card check, or verification through a mobile provider.

If a UK account is required to verify but the owner declines, access to certain features will be restricted. Affected features include voice and text chat and other age-restricted social interactions tied to Battle.net. Once an account completes verification, access is restored immediately and restrictions are lifted.

The verification affects games that use Battle.net social systems, including World of Warcraft, Call of Duty and Diablo 4. Players outside regions where verification is required by law will not have to complete the check.

Blizzard wrote in an FAQ that it is updating systems to “maintain our ongoing investments in tools and technologies that help ensure age-appropriate experiences.” The company published step-by-step guidance on its support site for players who encounter issues during verification.

Players can log into their Battle.net account and check Account Settings to see if the Age Verification banner appears and follow the on-screen instructions to complete verification.