TL;DR
Roblox has begun a global rollout that requires users to complete an age-check to use in-game chat, using facial verification or ID checks for older users. The move follows lawsuits and safety probes and routes verification through a third-party vendor that Roblox says deletes submitted images.
What happened
Roblox announced a worldwide requirement that users complete an age-check before they can use the platform’s communication features. The process — first trialed in select markets — asks users to open the Roblox app, permit camera access and follow on-screen steps to complete facial verification. Roblox says a third-party vendor, Persona, processes the verification and that images or video are deleted after processing; Roblox also says it deletes submitted media. Users aged 13 and older may opt for ID verification rather than a facial scan. While accounts can still be created and used without completing an age-check, access to chats and other communication features is blocked until verification is finished. The company says users can appeal incorrect age estimates and verify via alternate methods, including ID checks or parental controls that let a parent update a child’s age. Roblox also said it will prompt repeat checks if other signals suggest a large age discrepancy.
Why it matters
- Changes how millions of users access chat and shifts verification from self-declared birth years to biometric or ID checks.
- Introduces third-party processing of face data, raising privacy and vendor-audit questions.
- Aims to address concerns raised in lawsuits and investigations about child safety on the platform.
- Alters chat availability for younger users: under-9 chat is off by default unless a parent consents after verification.
Key facts
- Mandatory age-checks are required to use Roblox communication features; account creation alone does not require verification.
- Verification options: facial verification via the app camera or ID verification for users 13 and older.
- Persona, a third-party vendor, is handling verification and — Roblox says — deletes images and videos after processing.
- Roblox also states it deletes submitted images and video following verification.
- Users who receive an incorrect age estimate can appeal and use alternative verification methods, including ID checks or parental controls.
- Roblox groups users into six age brackets for chat: under 9, 9–12, 13–15, 16–17, 18–20, and 21+.
- Chat permissions are age-based: users can communicate with their own bracket and the adjacent brackets above and below.
- Chat is disabled by default for children under 9 unless a parent provides consent after an age-check.
- Roblox says it monitors signals of user behavior and may request repeated age-checks if someone appears much older or younger than expected.
- The policy shift follows lawsuits and safety investigations, including actions from the attorneys general of Texas and Louisiana.
What to watch next
- Whether the new checks change outcomes in the pending lawsuits and investigations — not confirmed in the source.
- Uptake and user compliance rates after the global rollout, and any user backlash or support — not confirmed in the source.
- Independent audits or regulatory reviews of Persona’s processing and Roblox’s deletion claims — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Facial verification: A process that uses a user’s face image to estimate or confirm their age or identity via software analysis.
- ID verification: Verification that uses a government-issued identification document to confirm a user’s age or identity.
- Third-party vendor: An external company contracted to provide services such as identity or age verification on behalf of another company.
- Parental controls: Tools and settings that allow a parent or guardian to manage a child’s account permissions and content access.
- Age-based chat: A chat system segmented by age brackets that restricts who can communicate with whom based on verified age groups.
Reader FAQ
Is age verification required to use Roblox?
No. Creating and using a Roblox account does not require an age-check, but access to chat and communication features is blocked until verification is completed.
What verification methods are available?
Roblox offers facial verification through the app; users 13 and older can choose ID verification instead.
Who processes the verification and what happens to submitted images?
Roblox says a third-party vendor, Persona, handles verification and that both Persona and Roblox delete images and videos after processing.
What if the verification estimates the wrong age?
Users can appeal and verify by alternate methods, including ID checks or parental controls allowing a parent to update a child’s age.
Following a wave of lawsuits and investigations over child safety, Roblox has implemented mandatory facial verification for all users who want to access chats. The company is now rolling out…
Sources
- Roblox now requires all users globally to complete age checks to access chat
- Roblox Requires Age Checks for Communication, …
- Age Checks to Access Chat, Studio Team Create, and …
- Roblox blocks children from chatting to adult strangers
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