Roblox Rolls Out Mandatory Age Verification Using Facial Estimation Technology to Limit Communication Between Minors and Adults

Roblox has begun the global rollout of mandatory age verification on its platform, utilizing facial age estimation technology. The change is designed to enhance user safety and "limit communication between minors and adults," sorting users into age-specific chat groups.

While the age checks are currently voluntary, they are set to become mandatory globally early next year. Users who do not complete the verification process will be locked out of certain platform features, most notably the chat functionalities.

Verification Process and Grouping

Age verification is conducted through the Roblox application using technology processed by Persona. Roblox has emphasized that privacy and security are paramount, confirming that any submitted images or video used for verification will be "deleted immediately after processing."

Once verified, users will be assigned to specific age-related chat groups, allowing them to communicate only with peers in their own or similar age groups:

• Under nine

• Nine to 12

• 13 to 15

• 16 to 17

• 18 to 20

• 21+

Global Rollout Schedule

The mandatory rollout will commence in specific markets before expanding worldwide:

1. Early December: Mandatory age verification begins in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

2. Early January Next Year: Mandatory age verification expands globally to other markets.

During this mandatory phase, age checks will also be required to access social media links on user profiles, communities, and experience detail pages.

The company stated that these new requirements will help them "provide positive, age-appropriate experiences for all users on Roblox." This move is the latest in a series of safety updates, following the introduction of a "sensitive issues" content tag and a prior update that blocked direct messaging for users under 13.