Roblox has announced plans to implement "age estimation" safety measures, requiring users to scan their IDs and upload selfies for age verification. This appears to be another attempt by Roblox to address backlash over alleged legal loopholes that are thought to put minors at risk.
The state of Louisiana has already filed a lawsuit against Roblox over child abuse concerns, and the company has faced multiple accusations of negligent security in the past few weeks. In response to the lawsuit and these allegations, Roblox Corporation has updated several policies and promised to enhance its safety initiatives. One of the most recent changes in this regard seems to be the company's new age estimation policy.
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Roblox Will Use Selfies and IDs to Estimate Users' Age
In an official blog post, Roblox revealed that the company will soon implement a new age estimation policy, urging users to scan their IDs and upload a selfie for verification. Roblox previously updated its Restricted Content policy, making certain experiences unavailable to users under 18. The new age estimation system is seemingly designed to complement these rules, ensuring minors cannot access inappropriate games and are protected from potential malicious behavior. The company is set to expand this "ambitious plan" to all users by the end of 2025, though the exact date of its global rollout has not been announced.
The new system will also include a parental consent step, though the details have not been fully clarified. It seems the platform will require underage users to provide verifiable parental consent to access certain restricted features. Roblox already offers several parental control options, but many parents say these features do not adequately protect their children, as they are easy to bypass. It is worth noting that the platform reportedly has over 380 million active monthly users, with around 40%, or roughly 152 million, being minors (via DemandSage).
A key concern among parents is the possibility of users manipulating Roblox's new age estimation features. Previously, some Roblox users exploited an experience called Spray Paint to spread hate speech, showing that not all safety measures on the app are as effective as the developer claims. Recent examples on other platforms have also shown that most AI-based age verification tools are easy to deceive, as seen with British fans using Death Stranding 2's photo mode to get verified on Discord. It remains to be seen how Roblox will address potential loopholes in its new system and whether these latest safety measures will truly make the platform safer for minors and vulnerable users.
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- September 1, 2006
- ESRB
- Teen / Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Roblox Corporation
- Publisher(s)
- Roblox Corporation
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Game Creation System
