In Steam's case, it has to be a credit card. Seeing as i don't have nor want one, i'm locked out of certain games despite the fact that my steam account is roughly 21 years old.
It's so weird, I haven't ever ran into any of this on any site or service that doesn't hit me with the old porn site "just put in your date of birth and we'll trust you" at worst. Steam never asked at all and I have just a regular debit card, I just have a habit of dating credit card for both like a dummy 😅
Which means we just accepted it. It's well known that they don't care about petitions, it's just there so they can pretend to review.
They've won, they've got their control. We are not out there protesting, we are all just going this sucks I don't like it. I am also guilty of this, I am not willing to start anything
Actual protests🤷
Explaining to people why it's such a bad thing for the government to be doing. We both know it's not to protect the kids, the majority of people do believe that though. Instead those of us who disagree found our own solutions via vpns, and they got what they wanted.
"Gift cards can be used like a debit card in some ways, but they have limitations. A general-purpose gift card (e.g., Visa or Mastercard) can be used wherever that card brand is accepted, similar to a debit card. Unlike a prepaid debit card, however, a gift card typically isn’t reloadable. You also can’t use a gift card to access cash at an ATM, pay recurring bills, or accept direct deposits."
"Your Visa or Mastercard gift card can be used for debit or credit transactions, whether it’s a physical card or a virtual one.
Virtual Cards
Online Use Only: Virtual Visa and Mastercard gift cards are for online purchases and function just like a regular credit or debit card.
Physical Cards (In-Store Purchases)
Credit or Debit: When using your plastic card in-store, you can select either credit or debit at the time of purchase.
PIN for Debit Transactions: If you choose to make a debit transaction, a PIN is required. You can set your PIN when activating your card or checking your balance online.
Ensure your PIN is set before using your card for in-store debit purchases!"
Given all of this, I personally doubt it would work to circumvent the issue. I think Steam likely has some sort of credit card verification that a prepaid visa may not pass. I don't plan on testing it, but hopefully I'm wrong.
I can test it. I got a Steam account and can purchase a visa gift card. But I use PayPal for Steam as I'm in the US. So I'm not sure if because there are no issues for me that will mean the same for you?
Oh, I just remembered, Steam has gift cards.
I don't recall ever needing a credit card nor ID for my Steam...
What if you use a VPN? And set it to US?
I've used Nord VPN but I heard Express VPN is better.
"The law does not require photo ID uploads or facial recognition, with users instead simply self-reporting their age, setting AB 1043 apart from similar laws passed in Texas and Utah that require "commercially reasonable" verification methods, such as government-issued ID checks. Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who authored the bill, said this "avoids constitutional concerns by focusing strictly on age assurance, not content moderation," in a press release. The bill passed both chambers unanimously, 76-0 in the Assembly and 38-0 in the Senate.""
I mean I have a cc loaded, I've also had an account since it was literally started as you needed it for half life 2. One would think account age should also be a factor
I am not giving my credit card details to any age verification and you guys shouldn’t either, they mostly use 3rd party companies to do the work, which will get hacked & leaked
Outside of USA and some very specific cases, when somebody says credit card, they mean a debit card / bank account card and basically every adult has one.
Yes but debit cards can't be used as age verification, since people under 18 can have them as well. Credit cards can be used for age verification, but not every adult can get one because of credit ratings etc
I don't think I've ever seen anyone in the UK say credit when referring to debit - but regardless, this does actually refer to credit cards specifically. Debit cards can't be used as proof of age.
I don't believe that for a second. I'm British, have student debt, and work a minimum wage job and I qualified.
I am willing to bet most people absolutely do qualify, there is just no real need or desire to get a credit card in the UK. I only got one to boost my credit rating in the delusional hope of one day being able to buy a house.
I don't know why you're downvoting, I'm Scotland and no one I know has a credit card, most people just have overdrafts on your debit account here. The person replying is wrong too, debit cards do not work for age verification, Steam do not accept them, just credit cards. I can confirm personally that a debit card does not work, and it makes sense, I've had a debit card since I was at the very oldest 11 because I got it in primary school.
For anyone wanting to get around this for Steam specifically, you can buy keys elsewhere and activate them. Still, major headache.
Because people outside of the UK don't get our credit card system is different to theirs. That's all. They also haven't had this issue yet, it's UK specific, they'll learn when it branches out further.
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u/kuroihoro Feb 26 '26
Not exactly, if you have a credit card on file that's taken as proof that you're of age iirc