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Roblox Rolls Out Mandatory Facial Age Checks for Chat Worldwide

The move follows mounting legal scrutiny over child safety on the platform.

Overview

  • Roblox now requires a camera-based facial age check to access chat in all regions where communication features are available, while gameplay remains available without verification.
  • Verification is processed by third‑party provider Persona, which Roblox says deletes images and videos after processing; users 13 and older can opt to verify by ID instead.
  • After verification, accounts are placed into six age bands that restrict chat to the same or adjacent groups, with chat off by default for users under 9 unless a parent grants consent.
  • Roblox says more than half of daily users in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands completed checks during last month’s trial and may be asked to re‑verify if behavior suggests a mismatch.
  • Early rollout issues include reports of misidentifications and parental frustration, and journalists have documented age‑verified accounts appearing for sale on eBay despite Roblox’s warning it can force repeat checks.