Roblox is introducing mandatory age verification for chat features, aimed at blocking interactions between children and adult strangers.

The platform recently announced that new security plans will require facial age verification for all users accessing chat features.

Once the age verification is complete, users will only be able to chat with other users in the same age group, unless they become “trusted connections” with people they know.

Trusted Connections on Roblox are verified family or friends that have been explicitly added to a Roblox account as a safe contact.

Under the new measures, chat in experiences will be disabled by default for users under the age of nine, unless a parent provides consent after age verification.

Although age checks are optional, features such as chat will not be accessible until age verification is complete.

After users complete the age verification process, the platform will inform them of their assigned age group: under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, or 21+.

Users will be able to chat with people in their own age group and similar age groups.

For example, a 12-year-old user will have access to chat with users aged 15 and under in the experience chat. All users aged 16 and above are prevented from initiating or participating in chat with them.

Another 18-year-old user will have access to chat with users aged 16 and above and may add a younger sibling as a trusted connection, provided they are at least 13 years old.

“The initiative is designed to provide even more age-appropriate experiences for all users, which we believe will improve interactions for users of all ages on Roblox,” the platform said in a statement.

The firm will start enforcing age check requirements during the first week of December in selected markets including Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

The requirements will extend to the rest of the world in early January.

Images and video for age checks completed through Facial Age Estimation are processed by age verification specialist Persona and deleted immediately after processing, the firm said.

Early next year, the companyfirm said it will also require age checks to access social media links on user profiles, communities and experience details pages.

Commenting on the new measures, Jules Polonetsky, chief executive at Future of Privacy Forum, said: “Roblox deploying this privacy preserving implementation of thoughtful age assurance for its uniquely mixed audience of youth and adults will strengthen protections for younger players while respecting user rights.”

Stephen Balkam, chief executive at the Family Online Safety Institute added that proactive tools like age estimation are “key” to building a safer and more positive digital world for kids and teens.

“Roblox’s risk-based approach to features like voice chat sets a strong example of responsible innovation," he continued.said

"Proactive tools like age estimation are key to building a safer and more positive digital world for kids and teens. Roblox’s risk-based approach to features like voice chat sets a strong example of responsible innovation," said Stephen Balkam, chief executive at the Family Online Safety Institute added.

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