● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
Steam's Australian Age Verification via Credit Cards Causes Debit Card Glitches
Key points
- Steam now requires age verification for Australian game purchases.
- Verification uses bank cards, with credit cards generally working.
- Debit card support is inconsistent, especially for non-Mastercard cards.
- Australian law mandates "appropriate age assurance measures" for online sales.
New Age Verification in Australia
As of September 9, Australian consumers purchasing online apps and games on Steam must complete an over-18 age verification step. This change is in compliance with a new local law that mandates "appropriate age assurance measures" for such transactions. Valve opted for bank card verification over government ID or biometric checks.
Inconsistent Debit Card Support
While credit cards generally function for verification, debit card support is inconsistent. Only specific debit cards, primarily Mastercard debit cards with an adult-only flag from the issuing bank, are reliably working. This issue mirrors a similar situation in the United Kingdom, where credit card adoption is also lower than in the U.S.
User Impact and Privacy Considerations
Many users are reporting failed verifications with various debit cards, leading to requests for alternative verification methods. Valve's choice of bank card verification prioritizes privacy, as it avoids the collection of more sensitive data like government IDs or biometric information. However, this approach is creating accessibility challenges for a significant portion of the Australian gaming population, especially younger adults who may not possess credit cards.
Demographic Challenges
Credit card ownership in Australia is lower than in the U.S., with only about 45% of Australian buyers owning one. This figure is even lower among the 18-24 age demographic, which is a key segment for online game purchases. The reliance on credit cards for verification therefore disproportionately affects a core group of Steam users.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Steam implemented a new age verification system in Australia for online game purchases, requiring users to verify their age with a bank card. This system is causing issues for many users as debit card support is inconsistent, particularly for non-Mastercard debit cards and those not flagged as adults-only by issuing banks. The problem stems from a new Australian law requiring "appropriate age assurance measures" for online app and game sales.