Online gaming platform Roblox has announced a new mandatory age verification system for all users who wish to use text and voice chat features. The measure’s main objective is to increase the safety of children and adolescents, preventing direct contact between them and unknown adults within the virtual environment. The company seeks to create an additional layer of protection in its community.
The decision comes at a time of increasing pressure on the platform, which is facing legal proceedings in the Estados Unidos. The lawsuits accuse the company of not doing enough to protect its young audience, which makes up a significant portion of its more than 150 million monthly active users. With the new policy, Roblox aims to directly address these concerns.
The implementation of the new rule will be gradual, with a timeline that extends until the beginning of 2026 to cover all countries. Verification, which is now available optionally, will use artificial intelligence technologies and validation of official documents to confirm the age of players and segment interactions in a more secure way.
How the new verification system will work
To access chats, players will need to prove their age through one of two available methods. The first consists of sending a photograph of an official photo ID, such as an ID or passport, which contains the date of birth. The platform will use a system to validate the authenticity of the document and extract the information necessary for the age classification of the user’s profile.
The second option is a facial verification process that uses artificial intelligence, developed in partnership with the company Persona. Neste method, the user needs to use the camera on their cell phone or computer to capture their face. The system requests facial movements to confirm that it is a real person, and then an AI algorithm estimates the player’s age. Roblox guarantees that the biometric data collected is only used for this analysis and deleted immediately upon completion of the process.
New rules for communication between age groups
The main practical change after verification will be the limitation of communication between different age groups. Users will be classified into groups such as 9-12 years old, 13-15 years old, 16-17 years old, among others. The rule will only allow players to interact via text and voice with people who are in their own or immediately adjacent age group. In practice, this means that a 12-year-old player, classified in group 9-12, will be able to chat with users up to 15 years old (in the 13-15 group), but will be prevented from communicating with anyone aged 16 or over. Essa communication barrier is designed to drastically reduce the risk of inappropriate interactions between minors and adults. The company believes this segmentation will create more age-appropriate socializing environments, keeping the gaming experience collaborative and fun.
Global implementation schedule of the measure
The introduction of age verification will be done in stages to ensure a smooth transition for the global community.
The system has already been released optionally for all users who wish to validate their accounts in advance.
The obligation will come into effect from December 2025 in three pilot countries: Austrália, Nova Zelândia and Países Baixos.
From the first quarter of 2026, the requirement will be expanded to all other countries where the platform operates, becoming a standard requirement for chat use.
The company reported that the AI technology used for facial estimation has an accuracy range of up to two years for people aged between 5 and 25 years.
Resource options for users
If a user aged 13 or over disagrees with the result of the assessment carried out by artificial intelligence, they will have the option to request a new analysis.
In this case, you will need to submit a government-issued ID to correct the age classification on your account.
Security measures already existing on the platform
This new layer of verification adds to other security tools that are already active on Roblox.
The platform currently blocks the sharing of images and personal information, such as phone numbers and addresses, for users under the age of 13.
Additionally, the company uses a combination of human moderation and automated systems to monitor text and voice conversations, filtering out inappropriate content and abusive behavior.
Legal context and pressure for security
The initiative to reinforce security comes after a series of legal actions taken against Roblox in the Estados Unidos.
Attorneys general from states including Kentucky, Louisiana and
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Data privacy in the analysis process
Roblox stated that user privacy is a priority in the new system and that document data and facial images will not be stored after verification is completed.
