A recent leak from insider Tez2 at X suggests that Rockstar Games is getting ready to introduce age verification in GTA Online. Players may soon need to confirm their age to access certain features like in-game phone messages, text chat, and Snapmatic. Screenshots of game code with references to “Age Assurance” and messages like “Access Denied Age Assurance Required” indicate that the system is already in development.
The United Kingdom is expected to be the first market where this verification will be implemented, in line with the stricter enforcement of the Online Safety Act. Since July 2025, the British government has been tightening age verification requirements for potentially harmful content, leading platforms like Ofcom to take action against non-compliance on adult sites.
Other major platforms and studios have also anticipated similar rules. Roblox, for example, has “Trusted Connections” and chat features that require age verification, while Epic Games has parental controls to limit younger users’ access to certain features on minor accounts.
The regulatory framework in the UK, with the Online Safety Act in place since October 2023 and more rigorous enforcement in 2025, has paved the way for such adaptations. Platforms are now required to use age verification mechanisms to protect minors from sensitive content, sparking debates on privacy and technical implementation.
According to the leak, Rockstar is working on a new version of GTA Online to coincide with the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in 2026. It’s possible that changes like age verification are part of a larger update for the game’s online experience, but Rockstar has yet to confirm this.
GTA Online is still available on various platforms, but there is no official comment from Rockstar on the age verification leak or a set date for its potential implementation.
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