Valve has introduced a new mandatory age verification system for Australian Steam users to access R18+ content, but the method is drawing sharp criticism. Unlike competitors like Xbox and PlayStation, which offer multiple verification pathways, Valve is exclusively requiring a valid credit card.
This restrictive approach is problematic given that only about half of Australian consumers own a credit card, with adoption rates significantly lower among younger adults. The policy effectively blocks many users from accessing mature content, as debit cards and PayPal are not currently accepted as valid forms of proof.