Roblox launches new age verification system to unlock unfiltered chats

Roblox has unveiled a new age verification system aimed at allowing users to engage in more open communication on its platform. Announced on Thursday, this initiative is part of the gaming platform's innovative 'trusted connections' feature, designed specifically for users aged 13 and older. Matt Kaufman, Roblox's Chief Safety Officer, stated that the timing was right to implement age-estimation technology, aligning with the introduction of features intended for an older audience. The age verification technology, developed by identity verification firm Persona, comes in response to recent legislative measures in states like Utah that mandate age verification for app users. While social media giants such as Meta, X, and Snap argue that app store operators should handle age verification, companies like Apple and Google disagree. According to Ryan Ebanks, a principal product manager for social products at Roblox, this technology will enable the platform to accurately confirm user ages and offer tailored features suitable for different age groups. Users over the age of 13 will now be prompted to utilize facial-analysis software to estimate their age, determining access to the unfiltered chat feature. The platform will now refer to a user's friends as 'connections,' and trusted connections will be those relationships that users can engage with without the usual content filters that screen for inappropriate language. To establish a trusted connection, teenagers aged 13 to 17 must scan a QR code or use Roblox's contact importer to add users over 18 whom they know in real life. Kaufman noted that until now, all private messages on Roblox were filtered to eliminate profanity and inappropriate content. By implementing this age-screening technology, Roblox hopes to encourage open communication among teens and adults, keeping interactions within their platform rather than redirecting users to alternative social media. Roblox assures that all communications will continue to be monitored for safety. Users who have previously verified their age using government-issued ID for access to mature games will not need to use the new age-estimation tool. This technology is optional for users over 13, who may still verify their age through official documentation or, in the future, parental consent. Additionally, Roblox has rolled out new privacy and well-being features, allowing users to monitor their time spent on the platform, set daily limits, and manage their online presence. With parental permission, parents can also link accounts to oversee their teens' connections, time spent on Roblox, and spending patterns. This comes in light of recent lawsuits against Roblox and Discord for alleged failures in protecting underage users from online predators, highlighting the platform's commitment to user safety. In a similar vein, Reddit has also begun implementing age verification technology to comply with the UK's Online Safety Act, ensuring that users under 18 are restricted from accessing certain mature content.