Xbox is wholly committed to providing all players with a safe and secure experience on its platform, especially for younger gamers. The company continually iterates on its safety measures, taking input and feedback from the community, regulators, and partners. One recent development involves a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which highlighted issues within Xbox’s account creation process and data retention policies. Xbox acknowledges its failure to meet customer expectations and is committed to complying with the order and improving its safety measures.

Xbox has more than two decades of experience in implementing safety measures aimed at respecting player privacy and safety, giving players control over their gaming experiences, and empowering parents and caregivers to manage their children’s gaming experiences. Over the years, Xbox has invested in tools and technologies to protect its community, including a multifaceted safety strategy.

Recently, Xbox made several changes to its account creation and child verification process. Underage users now need verified parental consent before providing any information, such as phone numbers or email addresses. Xbox has also updated its Microsoft Privacy Statement and added a clearly labeled link to this statement on its home screen and in every area of the service where personal information is collected. Xbox’s privacy dashboard gives families a clear overview of the data that is being collected and used, and players can adjust their privacy settings at any time.

For underage users who created an account before May 2021, parental reconsent will be required over the coming months. Xbox aims to make this process as seamless as possible and ensure that parents have all the necessary information.

Xbox sees the need for further innovation to advance safe digital experiences that are convenient, accessible, and benefit all players. The company is currently working on next-generation identity verification and age validation that will yield long-term, community-wide benefits.

Xbox is committed to its players and will work with the community to gather feedback and create a safer gaming experience for everyone. The company will continue to communicate the changes and improvements it is making to practices and data collection as it seeks to better protect its community. Xbox is also creating creative ways to educate players about online safety, such as Minecraft’s CyberSafe series, aimed at teaching young people about privacy and how to safeguard their personal data.