Lawsuits claim Roblox endangers kids. New AI age verification aims to block them from chatting with adults

Roblox is set to enhance its age verification process for users wishing to chat on the platform, requiring them to either provide a government-issued ID or use an AI-based tool that scans their face. This decision comes in the wake of numerous lawsuits alleging that the platform has allowed sexual predators to exploit its younger audience. With over 150 million users worldwide, a significant portion of whom are under 13, Roblox has faced scrutiny due to reports of child grooming, abuse, and even kidnapping linked to adult interactions on the site. Lawsuits from the attorneys general of Kentucky and Louisiana have accused Roblox of endangering children, while Florida’s attorney general has described the platform as a “breeding ground for predators.” Families, too, have taken legal action, including one case involving a mother who claims her son died by suicide after being groomed online. Roblox has always emphasized safety, already implementing features like parental controls and blocking the sharing of personal information. The platform also requires age verification for access to certain content rated for users aged 17 and older. However, the newly announced changes are expected to significantly increase the number of users verifying their ages. Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman stated, “Our priority is safety and civility. We want to make Roblox a safe, positive, age-appropriate experience for everybody.” The announcement coincides with planned protests by advocacy groups calling for enhanced safety measures, including stronger privacy protections for younger users. Starting soon, all Roblox users will need to verify their age to access chat features. Those opting out of ID submission will be required to take a facial scan using technology from identity verification firm Persona. This AI-driven tool will categorize users into estimated age ranges, dictating who they can communicate with based on age appropriateness. For instance, a user estimated to be 12 years old would be permitted to chat with users aged 15 and younger, but not with those older than 16. While users over 13 can upload an ID to rectify any incorrect age classifications, parents can also make corrections on their child's behalf. Roblox assures that the facial images used for verification will be deleted after age estimation. Rajiv Bhatia, Roblox’s vice president, explained that the changes aim to facilitate more age-appropriate interactions while minimizing contact between minors and unknown adults. The platform's AI technology is reported to have a reasonable accuracy rate, typically within one or two years for users aged 5 to 25. As Roblox prepares to roll out this age verification process on a voluntary basis, it will become mandatory in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands by December, with a global implementation expected early next year.