Recently, VRChat announced some modifications to their Age Verification process: They’re switching to an age determination model (branded as “age assurance”), which has been used by some games to successfully navigate the increasingly complicated legal waters of the World Wide Web. However, they make use of a third-party service to perform these checks, which made many people… Unhappy. This change, naturally, brought up some questions regarding how ChilloutVR is going to handle this sort of thing, especially after ChilloutVR changed ownership in early 2026.
Here’s what we – the public – know so far.
Disclaimer
I am a former staff member of Alpha Blend Interactive UG, the prior owner of ChilloutVR. I am still under NDA (theoretically), and I cannot discuss any internal discussions prior to my departure in February of 2025. This NDA is in the process of being acquired by the new owner of ChilloutVR – Disconeering LLC – but this has not happened yet due to clerical issues.
I can, however, tell you what we do know, from public statements by Disconeer, Disconeering LLC Staff, and blog posts. I can also speculate.
The Current Landscape
Right now, the UK is implementing a series of laws that mandate how games collect and use age identification data to keep minors from accessing adult, suggestive, or gory content. This will require all sites to conform, or be blocked within the UK.
Complicating matters are a festering mess of laws being implemented by states in the US (particularly CA’s Digital Age Assurance Act and LA Rev Stat § 51:1771 (2025)), with varying definitions of objectionable content, what kinds of age data is valid, and what kinds of gating/blocking actions are considered legal. Courts are all over the place on the constitutionality of these laws (an earlier version of LA 51:1771 was struck down and it was re-passed by the legislature with changes), so the entire legal landscape is an endless quagmire.
Current internationally-recognized law is based upon the US Child Online Privacy and Protection Act (AKA COPPA; defined in 16 CFR Part 312), and attempts at complying with new laws are extending existing COPPA compliance methods to tack on various forms of verifying the age users testify to. This allows most sites to start testing the waters and start collecting the needed data ahead of time before the laws are set in stone.
So, where does ChilloutVR fit into all this?
How ChilloutVR Currently Handles Age
ChilloutVR was initially developed by Alpha Blend Interactive UG, a company based out of Ruhr, Germany. This made CVR subject to already-strict German law on adult content, suggestive material, and gore.
While Germany permits adult content, access to it is restricted to individuals over the age of 18, and access to those material requires that more than a mere attestation of age be obtained. In addition, CVR is also subject to EU GDPR protections, so only the smallest amount of data could be stored regarding that verification of age.
To do this, ChilloutVR simply leverages Steam’s built-in age verification system: In order to have access to any mature content, one must obtain the Mature Content DLC, which is free on the Steam Store. However, in order to even see the Mature Content DLC, one must:
- Have adult content enabled on Steam
- Attest to their age on Steam
- Verify their age to Steam’s satisfaction
Once obtained, the user can enable viewing of mature content via the in-game filtering system. Disabling the DLC blocks access again, and if a staff member discovers that an underage user has somehow obtained access, they are subject to a game-ban, and will be reported to Steam for further sanctions.
Coming Changes
ChilloutVR was acquired by Disconeering, LLC, which is a company based within Wisconsin, USA. This changes quite a bit with regards to the rules and regulations that ChilloutVR is subject to. However, Disconeer has stated publicly that he intends to continue complying with GDPR, as well as the more strict regulations the EU imposed regarding privacy and data collection. There will, however, be some changes coming down the pipeline.
The following is some educated guesswork as to how CVR will handle things in the future:
- Continued use of Steam age verification, since it will likely change to comply with any new laws as-needed.
- Continued compliance with EU GDPR privacy requirements as far as legally permissible. (Verified by CEO)
- Privacy will still remain paramount, since it’s a selling point for CVR.
- Any additional requirements imposed by Wisconsin or federal law will be complied with.
- A lawyer has been hired to go through the Terms of Service to smooth out any remaining legal issues, typos, and conflicts. (Verified by CEO)
It seems CVR is continuing to go down the right path with the new company. Hopefully, this will buoy confidence in the game and draw some users in.
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