Roblox now requires all users globally to complete age verifications to access chat

After a wave of lawsuits and investigations over child safety, Roblox has implemented mandatory face verification for all users who want to access chats. The company is now rolling out this requirement globally after testing it for the first time in a few markets last month.

To complete the age verification process, users must open the Roblox app, allow access to their camera, and follow a series of on-screen instructions for facial verification. Once the age verification is processed, Roblox says it will delete any users’ photos or videos. The verification process is handled by a third-party vendor, Persona, which also deletes photos and videos after the process is completed, Roblox says.

The company says users 13 or older can also choose to verify their age through identity verification instead of face verification. Roblox points out that although age verifications are optional, they are required if users want to access communication features. In other words, you don’t have to verify your age to use Roblox, but you do need to verify to use the chat features.

If the age verification process incorrectly estimates a user’s age, they can appeal the decision and verify their age through alternative methods, including identity verification or through parental controls that allow parents to update their children’s ages.

“By leveraging multiple signals, Roblox continually evaluates user behavior to determine if someone is significantly larger or smaller than expected,” the company wrote in a blog post. “In these situations, Roblox will soon require users to repeat the age verification process.”

Once users complete age verification, they can access age-based chat, meaning they can only communicate with others in a similar age group. There are six age groups: Under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, and 21+. Users in every age group can chat with people in groups directly above and below their group. For example, users in the 9-12 category can chat with users in their own group, as well as users in the Under 9 and 13-15 groups.

Roblox says chat is disabled by default for children under 9 unless a parent provides consent after age verification.

The introduction of mandatory age tests comes amid multiple lawsuits, including from attorneys general in Texas and Louisiana, against Roblox over child safety concerns. The lawsuits were filed after reports that Roblox was exposing young users to serious risks, such as grooming and explicit content.

Roblox said the new age verification requirement will provide a more accurate way to verify users’ ages, compared to simply having users enter their birth year when creating an account.