The Roblox platform has begun rolling out a new AI-powered age verification system worldwide. The aim of the measure is to make in-game chat safer, especially for younger players. However, just a few weeks after its launch, it is clear that the system is causing frustration, attempts to circumvent it, and new data protection debates.
How does the new age verification work?
Players who want to use the chat must confirm their age. To do this, Roblox uses AI that estimates the approximate age based on a face scan. Alternatively, users aged 13 and older can also verify their age with an ID document.
The age information determines which other users can be communicated with. For example, a 13-year-old player can only chat with people in a limited age range, while older users are given access to other groups. Roblox wants to prevent minors from interacting with significantly older players in an uncontrolled manner.
Incorrect classifications and easy workarounds
In practice, however, the system has proven to be only partially reliable. Reports of massive misclassifications are piling up on social networks. Some adult users are classified as 13 to 15 years old, while children are allegedly passing as adults. Even parents who perform the scan for their children are unintentionally causing incorrect age classifications.
Particularly problematic is how easy it is to circumvent the age verification process. Research by Wired shows that verified Roblox accounts are being sold on online marketplaces, including accounts with very low age ratings. In addition, videos are circulating in which users deceive the AI with avatars, celebrity photos, or artificial beards and wrinkles.
Such weaknesses are not new. Even with previous age checks on platforms such as Discord or Reddit, users were able to trick AI systems using simple means.
Privacy concerns exacerbate criticism
In addition to the technical problems, resistance is also growing for privacy reasons. Some players refuse age verification altogether and deliberately refrain from using chat functions.
Particularly critical is the fact that the software used for age verification comes from Persona, a company that is currently being sued over data protection and data security issues. Several content creators and security experts are therefore openly warning against using the system.
Acceptance remains limited
According to Roblox, just over 50 percent of daily active users in the first test regions have completed age verification. Conversely, this means that a large part of the community has been playing without chat functions for weeks. This is seen as a clear sign of limited acceptance.
Whether the new system will actually lead to greater security on the platform in the long term or primarily create new problems remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the introduction of AI-supported age verification has not strengthened the trust of many users.
FAQ
Roblox has introduced AI-supported age verification, which estimates a user’s age based on a selfie. Without successful verification, access to chat functions is restricted.
Roblox wants to improve child protection and prevent minors from chatting with significantly older users. The move follows political and media pressure over safety concerns.
Age verification is mandatory if players want to use chat functions. Those who refuse can continue to play, but cannot communicate.
The AI analyzes facial features and estimates the approximate age. The classification is based on age groups, not exact dates of birth.
Many users report massive misjudgments. Adults are sometimes classified as teenagers, while children are placed in significantly higher age groups. This is due to unclear training data and limited AI accuracy.
Yes. Users share numerous workarounds online, such as using photos, avatars, AI images, or disguises. Parents who verify for their children also falsify the system.
Yes. Many players refuse verification out of concern for their biometric data. In addition, the service provider Persona has come under criticism for privacy issues.
That remains unclear. Despite its introduction, many players continue to avoid using chat functions or circumvent the system. Whether the measure will offer more protection in the long term remains to be seen.
