Roblox said on the 19th it will gradually roll out a "age-based chat" feature in the global market using face-based age estimation technology.
The feature will be applied first in some markets, including Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands, starting the first week of December. It will then expand to all countries where chat is offered starting in early January. The core of this update is verifying age based on facial age estimation technology. Roblox analyzes a user's facial image to estimate an age range, then classifies them into six groups: ▲ under 9 ▲ 9–12 ▲ 13–15 ▲ 16–17 ▲ 18–20 ▲ 21 and older.
Chat is allowed only between the same or similar age ranges. For example, a user estimated to be 12 years old is allowed to chat only with users 15 or younger and cannot talk with those 16 or older. Conversely, an 18-year-old user can chat only with the 16 and older group. However, even if there is an age difference, an exception may apply to allow chat when users are consolidated as a "trusted connections" relationship that indicates they know each other in real life.
Protections for minors will also be strengthened. Chat features within experiences for users under 9 are disabled by default, and chat opens only when a parent or guardian directly completes and approves the age verification process. Users under 13, as under the existing policy, cannot use platform chat features. In Korea, users under 13 must obtain prior parental approval to proceed with the facial age estimation process. Guardians receive an approval request by email and can decide in the parental controls menu whether to approve.
The age verification process is designed with privacy as the top priority. The verification procedure is handled within the Roblox app using the user's smartphone camera, and the images and video data used for age determination are analyzed and then immediately deleted by Roblox's official partner Persona. Age verification is optional, but if users do not complete it, use of some features, including chat, will be restricted.
Roblox said it prioritizes privacy even in the age verification process. Roblox said it has continued to strengthen user protection by introducing more than 145 new safety features since January this year. Notable measures include ▲ real-time AI monitoring of text and voice chat ▲ deployment of professional review staff ▲ default protections for users under 13 ▲ restrictions on sharing adult content and external links ▲ cooperation with about 20 global safety organizations and law enforcement agencies.
Matt Kaufman, Roblox chief safety officer (CSO), said, "Every day, Roblox works to ensure that more than 150 million users can have safe, positive and age-appropriate experiences on the platform," and added, "By applying facial age verification to chat, we are helping create a more age-appropriate environment for all users, and we hope this standard spreads across the industry."