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•January 7, 2026Roblox Begins Global Rollout of Mandatory Selfie-Based Age Verification for Chat Features
Quick Overview
Roblox is globally rolling out mandatory selfie-based age verification for all users wishing to access chat features, a move driven by mounting child safety concerns and lawsuits.
- Mandatory Verification: All users must complete age checks to access chat features, though gameplay remains optional.
- Verification Methods: Facial estimation via selfie is primary, with ID verification available for users 13 and older.
- Third-Party Vendor: Verification is processed by Persona, with images/videos deleted immediately after processing.
- Age-Based Chat: Verified users are placed into six age groups, with chat restricted to their group and adjacent ones.
- Child Safety Focus: This initiative aims to limit contact between adults and children, responding to lawsuits and criticism regarding child exploitation.
- Global Rollout: Following successful trials, the requirement is being implemented worldwide, with all markets expected to be covered by early January.
Key Points
Background and Motivation for Age Verification
- Roblox has begun a global rollout of mandatory age checks for users to access chat features, following trials in specific regions since early December (Source: Gadgets 360).
- This move comes amid multiple lawsuits and investigations from state attorneys general (e.g., Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky) over child safety concerns, including accusations of exposing young users to grooming and explicit content (Source: TechCrunch, Engadget, CNET).
- The company aims to address criticism that it has not adequately protected underage players and to limit contact between adults and children (Source: CNET).
- Roblox states it is the first large online gaming platform to require facial age checks for all users to access chat, setting a new industry standard (Source: Gadgets 360, CNET).
Mandatory Verification Process and Chat Grouping
- Users must complete facial age estimation via a video selfie using their device's camera; the process is handled by a third-party vendor, Persona (Source: TechCrunch, Engadget, Gadgets 360).
- Persona and Roblox confirm that images and videos are deleted immediately after processing and are not stored (Source: TechCrunch, Engadget, Gadgets 360).
- Users aged 13 and older have the option to verify their age using government-issued identification instead of facial estimation (Source: TechCrunch, Gadgets 360).
- Verified users are placed into one of six age groups (under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, 21+), and can only chat with peers in their own group or similar adjacent groups (Source: TechCrunch, Engadget, CNET).
- Chat is disabled by default for children under 9 unless parental consent is provided after age verification (Source: TechCrunch, Gadgets 360).
Implications and Future Plans
- The new system is designed to provide a more accurate way to verify users' ages compared to self-declared birth years, encouraging age-appropriate conversations and reducing risks (Source: TechCrunch, Gadgets 360).
- Roblox may ask users to repeat the age-check process if their behavior suggests they are significantly older or younger than their assigned age (Source: TechCrunch, Engadget).
- The company plans to expand age-check requirements to additional features, such as creators needing verification for real-time collaboration tools in Roblox Studio (Source: Gadgets 360).
- While age verification is now mandatory for chat, it remains optional for general gameplay (Source: Engadget, Gadgets 360).
Key Statistics and Operational Details
- Over half of daily active users in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands had completed verification during the trial phase (Source: Engadget, Gadgets 360).
- Independent third-party laboratory testing of the facial age estimation technology showed a mean absolute error of approximately 1.4 years for users under 18 (Source: Gadgets 360).
- The platform is estimated to have about 380 million active monthly users (Source: CNET).
- The global rollout of mandatory age checks is expected to be completed within the next week in all markets where chat is available (Source: Gadgets 360).
Outline
Introduction of Mandatory Age Verification for Chat Features
Global Rollout and Timeline
Purpose and Rationale
Mandatory for Chat, Optional for Gameplay
Age Verification Process
Method of Verification
Third-Party Vendor and Data Handling
Appeal and Correction Mechanisms
Age-Based Chat and Communication Controls
Age Groups and Chat Restrictions
Chat for Under 9s
Trusted Connections and Broader Communication
Broader Safety Measures and Future Plans
Comprehensive Safety Framework
Previous Safety Initiatives and Criticisms
Future Expansion of Age-Check Requirements
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