Microsoft Brings Age Verification to Windows 11 Amid Escalating Regulatory Scrutiny

Microsoft is set to introduce an age verification system on Windows 11, designed to verify users' age brackets and tailor applications and features accordingly without exposing sensitive personal data.

The system, called Windows Age API, will eliminate the need for users to repeatedly answer age prompts or undergo verification across individual applications and services on their PCs.

Instead of sharing exact birth dates, the application program interface will disclose age ranges such as under 10, 10-12, 13-15, 16-17, and 18 and over. It will also indicate whether a user's age status has been officially verified or merely self-reported.

To complement this, Microsoft is introducing Microsoft Age Verification (MAV), enabling users to verify their age once through their Microsoft account for seamless use across Windows and various applications, reducing the risk of oversharing personal data with third parties.