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Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
GTA Online age check settings confirmed real as screenshots leak
Rockstar's rumoured age verification system for GTA Online appears to be real, as a reliable leaker unearths menu screens showing it in action. The UK's Online Safety Act has led to a wave of newly implemented age checks across porn sites and social media, but it's creeping its way into gaming, too. Platforms like Discord have already rolled out age verification systems to access certain features and age-restricted content, and a leaker earlier this month claimed Rockstar was planning to add something similar to GTA Online. A week later, and the same leaker has posted further evidence that age verification in GTA Online is happening – this time via actual screenshots. In a post on X, Tez2, a long-serving dataminer for Rockstar titles, posted screenshots of the menu screens showing the age check settings. 'A preview of age assurance in-game,' they wrote. 'This is not active yet.' One screenshot shows a splash screen for GTA Online with 'please verify your age to access online features' emblazoned across the bottom. Another screenshot shows new toggles in the settings menu, with the option to 'verify age' at the top and buttons below it to turn on online access, store access, and Snapmatic upload, presumably once you've confirmed your age. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Based on these screenshots, it's unclear what options there'll be to verify your age, but it will likely involve some kind of facial recognition scan or credit card details, based on what's been implemented elsewhere. More Trending Rockstar hasn't officially announced any age check systems for GTA Online yet, but it certainly makes sense to avoid any blowback from these new laws – especially ahead of GTA 6 next year, which will likely become another focal point of controversy. The big question, if these age checks are rolled out, is whether this might impact the sales of GTA 6 to some degree. Although considering adults have been buying 18+ games for underage teens for decades, this will likely just become another minor nuisance for parents who aren't that bothered about their offspring attending a virtual strip club. GTA 6 is set to launch on May 26 next year across PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, but there are concerns it could be delayed again. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: EA Sports FC 26 hands-on preview – a bigger change than you think MORE: Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary leaks are fake but what is Nintendo planning? MORE: Genshin Impact sparks fan fury as it shuts down PS4 version
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
GTA 6 update: Rockstar to introduce age checks in GTA Online, UK rollout comes first; what the update means and why it is happening
Rockstar Games is reportedly preparing to introduce an age verification system in GTA Online , starting with the United Kingdom. The move aligns with the UK's Online Safety Act , a sweeping new regulation aimed at protecting minors from harmful online content. The system is expected to restrict access to certain in-game features for underage users, such as messaging, photo sharing, and possibly voice chat. While this change has not yet been officially confirmed by Rockstar, it's seen as a necessary step before the anticipated release of GTA 6, and signals a broader trend of increased digital accountability in online gaming. Why Rockstar is adding age checks in GTA Online: Compliance with the UK's Online Safety Act The primary driver behind this update is the UK's Online Safety Act, which came into full effect in July 2025. The law mandates that online platforms, including games, take stronger steps to protect children from inappropriate or explicit material. GTA Online, known for its violence, mature themes, and uncensored interactions, falls squarely under the microscope. Rockstar's introduction of age checks reflects an effort to comply with new legal expectations while continuing to operate in a major gaming market like the UK. Similar laws are being considered in the EU, US, and Australia, suggesting this may be just the beginning of a wider policy shift. UK players will likely be the first affected by the new verification system by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Sources, including trusted insider Tez2, indicate that Rockstar will pilot the age verification system in the United Kingdom before expanding globally. This localised rollout allows the company to test the waters without overwhelming the broader player base. Features that may become restricted include in-game chat, Snapmatic (photo sharing), and possibly joining public lobbies—all of which can expose minors to adult content or interactions. Rockstar may also use this opportunity to refine the system's accuracy, reduce false positives, and address concerns from the player community before scaling it globally. How the age verification system might work and what players can expect While Rockstar hasn't detailed how the system will work, industry standards suggest several likely methods: ID uploads, facial recognition, AI-based age estimation, or credit card verification. Early datamined messages from the game files reveal phrases like 'Verify your age to access GTA Online' and 'You must complete age verification to continue', suggesting an integrated prompt system. Players who fail or skip verification could be denied access to multiplayer features or limited to restricted modes. The rollout is expected to be gradual, with multiple phases to address legal, technical, and ethical considerations. What the gaming community is saying: privacy, fairness, and child safety concerns Initial reactions from the GTA community are mixed. Many players welcome the update as a long-overdue move toward safer online interactions, particularly in public lobbies where harassment and explicit content can be common. However, critics are raising concerns about data privacy, identity verification risks, and the potential for false restrictions on adult players. Some fear that modded servers, including roleplay communities, could face disruptions or access issues. Rockstar will need to strike a careful balance between compliance and player trust—especially in a game as community-driven as GTA Online. What this means for GTA 6: setting the stage for a more regulated online future This update could offer a preview of what's coming with GTA 6, which is expected to launch with a massive online component. With global regulators tightening scrutiny on digital content, Rockstar may embed age verification directly into the GTA 6 Online infrastructure from the outset. Age-based access controls could extend to voice chat, social features, in-game purchases, and even story content, depending on regional laws. As the next generation of open-world gaming begins, age verification could become a standard requirement, not just for Rockstar, but for the entire industry.
Economic Times
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
GTA 6 Update: Rockstar Games may bring age checks, with UK players likely to see changes first
Synopsis Rockstar Games is planning to introduce age verification for Grand Theft Auto Online. This change is expected to start in the United Kingdom. It aligns with new regulations, especially the Online Safety Act. The goal is to restrict access to potentially harmful content for minors. The gaming community is concerned about the impact on gameplay and roleplay servers. (Image via Rockstar Games) Rockstar Games may soon roll out age verification for GTA Online, starting with players in the United Kingdom. The move appears to align with new regulatory demands ahead of the anticipated launch of GTA 6, according to a report shared by a well-known gaming update was shared by reliable industry leaker Tez2 on social media platform X, as reported by PC Games. Tez2 stated that Rockstar Games is planning to add a new age verification mechanism to GTA Online. This aligns with regulatory shifts taking place, especially in the UK, where the Online Safety Act recently came into force. The new law requires online platforms to verify users' ages in order to limit access to content that may be harmful or illegal for minors. GTA Online, known for its open-ended gameplay and player-created content, may be affected under this to Tez2, Rockstar could introduce the age verification system region by region, with the UK likely to be the first to see these changes. However, Rockstar has not officially confirmed the rollout timeline or details on how the system would specifics remain unclear, it is possible that certain features—such as in-game phone messaging, text chat, and Snapmatic photo sharing—may require players to confirm their age before use. There is no confirmation yet on whether the age check will apply to the full game or only to selected features. The timing of the implementation is still not known. With the Online Safety Act now active in the UK, players there may soon be the first to navigate the new age-check process. This has led to concern within the GTA community, particularly among those who play on roleplay servers, a popular mode within GTA 5's online fans are hoping the new system will not affect the core gameplay or disrupt access to community-run servers, especially with excitement building for the official release of GTA 6.
Metro
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
GTA Online will add age verification to comply with UK laws claims insider
Rockstar is said to be planning an age verification system for GTA Online, with GTA 6 rumoured to be following suit for its online mode. While GTA 6 is expected to come with its own dedicated online multiplayer mode, it's currently unknown whether that will be something separate from GTA Online or just an extension of it. Will GTA Online be shut down and you'll be forced to hop over to GTA Online 2? Or is the playerbase substantial enough for Rockstar to keep supporting both? Hopefully, Rockstar will have an answer before GTA 6's launch in May 2026, although a new rumour suggests that big changes are coming to the way GTA's online features are accessed, particularly in the UK. The rumour comes from noted Rockstar dataminer Tez2, who believes they've found evidence of age verification for GTA Online within the game's files. 'Rockstar is planning to implement age assurance checks in the near future, rolling them out by region,' Tez2 writes on X. 'You may need to verify your age to access GTA Online, or certain features, like phone messages, text chat, Snapmatic, may be restricted until you verify your age.' Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Jokes aside, Rockstar is planning to implement age assurance checks in the near future, rolling them out by may need to verify your age to access #GTAOnline, or certain features, like phone messages, text chat, Snapmatic, may be restricted until you verify your age. — Tez2 (@TezFunz2) July 31, 2025 While GTA Online (and by extension GTA 5) has an age rating of 18, there is technically nothing stopping you from playing the game regardless of age, should an older relative buy it for you. However, if this age verification is implemented, adult players will need to provide proof that they are old enough to play GTA Online, while younger players would be locked out entirely. Tez2's claims sound perfectly believable considering recent changes made across the internet thanks to the UK's Online Safety Act. While a lot of focus has been on porn sites needing to ask users for their ID, social media sites have been affected too. More Trending Bluesky, for instance, now demands you either provide your credit card details or a scan of your face to send direct messages. Any businesses that don't comply with the law not only face fines from Ofcom, but also the possibility of being shut down and unable to operate in the UK. The changes have proved unpopular enough to prompt over 400,000 people to sign a petition to have them repealed, citing concerns over cybersecurity and restrictions on free speech. Rockstar has not formally commented on the matter but considering GTA Online features a lot of mature content, including an in-game stirp club, it could very well be facing pressure to comply with the UK's laws. If age verification is implemented, then GTA 6 and its online mode would no doubt have to follow suit. GTA 6 is expected to make a lot – and we mean a lot – of money when it launches and Rockstar's not going to want its game to be barred from sale in a big market like the UK. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: GTA 6 will earn a record breaking £5,000,000,000 in 60 days claims analyst MORE: GTA 6 in danger of being delayed to September 2026 claims insider MORE: Britain's most tattooed man can't watch porn under new rules because it doesn't recognise his face
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
GTA Online is rumored to feature age verification to access the game
Image via Rockstar Games. GTA Online is one of the most popular titles in the world, and the fun doesn't stop despite being released over a decade ago. However, now that might stop for millions of players around the globe as Rockstar Games is reportedly adding a controversial feature to the game. GTA Online has been a prominent game in the world of Rockstar titles for a long time, but with the imminent arrival of GTA 6 and its possible online counterpart, GTA Online is reaching the horizon slowly. Now, this highly disputed feature might well put the final nail in the coffin for the game. Players might soon require age verification checks to play GTA Online As per credible industry insider and leaker Tez2, Rockstar Games will soon implement an age verification system in GTA Online. If this system makes it into the game, players will then have to verify their age to access GTA Online. Not only that, the leaker has also claimed that upon unsuccessful verification, certain features in the game like phone messages, text chat, Snapmatic, and others might be restricted as well. All of these claims seem to be coming from some datamined in-game files which were supposedly accessed by the leaker. However, further details of this age verification system is still unknown, like the particular age bracket, locations, and other implications. All we know right now is that this system might be rolled out by region. Now, it's a no-brainer that this feature would erupt serious controversy in the community. Leveraging age verification means a huge number of players under a specific age bracket won't be able to play the game or access most of the important in-game features. Although, it was quite evident Rockstar would implement such a feature in the game, keeping in mind GTA Online's highly violent and explicit content, which might not be suitable for all the age groups. However, Rockstar Games won't be the only company implementing such a measure, as Xbox has already rolled out an age verification system on their platform in the UK. This comes out after the UK Government enforced a new age verification law on July 25, 2025, where people need to verify their age before accessing any adult content on the internet. Read More: Grand Theft Auto V officially launches in Saudi Arabia and UAE after 12-year delay For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
