Campaign group Stop Killing Games has added its voice to growing criticism of proposed age verification laws, telling EU policymakers that the measures will not address the root causes of online harm and risk creating substantial obstacles for long-term game preservation.

Speaking at the European Parliament, representatives of the group criticised recent policymaker rhetoric around safety, saying: "It is frustrating to see policymakers suddenly claim everything is 'for our safety'." Stop Killing Games argued that mandatory age checks and similar compliance requirements will not fix the behavioural and systemic issues that underpin harmful online interactions.

Sponsored

Beyond consumer protection concerns, the group highlighted practical and technical problems for archivists and preservationists. Implementing robust age verification systems is likely to tie access to centralised infrastructure and ongoing publisher support, creating a scenario in which older titles become inaccessible once a publisher discontinues services or withdraws a game from sale. Stop Killing Games described that outcome as "prohibitively complex" for the organisations that preserve games for future study and enjoyment.

The intervention follows the group's recent appearance in Brussels to press for clearer consumer-rights protections in the games market. Stop Killing Games' testimony underscores a broader debate about how to balance online safety objectives with the rights of players, creators and cultural heritage organisations.

Eurogamer provided coverage of Stop Killing Games' remarks and the wider industry response to the proposed measures. Full details of the group's presentation are available via Eurogamer's report: Stop Killing Games age verification.