- Roblox expands mandatory age verification for chat features to all regions
- Users must agree to a facial scan to be assigned to an age group.
- Experts previously criticized similar age-checking methods on security concerns.
After testing it in some markets, Roblox announced that it is expanding its facial age verification for voice and text chat features to all regions, effective immediately.
The new policy, previously limited to specific territories and age groups, means that any user wishing to use the platform’s social communication tools must prove their age to do so. This involves agreeing to have your face scanned to assign you to the correct age group so you can communicate with others in similar age groups. Users can challenge this age estimate with other methods, including identity verification or parental controls.
The move comes amid a widespread global trend of stricter internet regulations. As we saw last year, when age verification changed the internet in 2025, platforms are under increasing pressure to ensure minors are protected from inappropriate content and predatory behaviour.
However, similar age verification methods have previously worried privacy advocates. As digital anonymity erodes, users are also becoming more aware of their digital footprint. That’s why many people are increasingly turning to the best VPN apps to bypass mandatory age checks and protect their data online.
In the official announcement, Roblox states that this global launch is essential to fostering a “civil and safe” community. However, for many gamers, the requirement to hand over their sensitive data to a video game developer might seem like a significant privacy trade-off.
The privacy risks of data centralization
While the intention behind Roblox’s announcement is clearly to improve the safety of younger users (with the platform ensuring that privacy remains “paramount”), age verification methods based on facial age estimation or ID scans could create a new risk vector.
This is because when a platform collects millions of identification documents and biometric details, it becomes a massive target for cybercriminals. We have seen this scenario play out recently. Last year, Discord revealed more about a massive data breach, where nearly 70,000 government ID photos were exposed.
If a similar breach were to occur with Roblox’s huge user base, the consequences could be catastrophic and potentially expose the real-world identities of millions of players.
For this reason, privacy experts have so far criticized the new verification controls. The argument is that while verifying age is important, current methods of storing sensitive personal data on corporate servers are fraught with danger.
What this means for players
For the average Roblox player, the process will be relatively seamless, as long as you are willing to share your data. The system will need to access your camera to allow Persona, Roblox’s age verification third party, to scan your face to verify your age.
“We are constantly evaluating user behavior to determine if someone is significantly older or younger than expected. In these situations, we will soon begin asking users to repeat the age verification process,” explains the provider, adding that users who want to challenge the age estimate can do so using alternative methods, “including identity verification or parental controls that allow parents to update the age of their children.”
Once verified, voice and text chat features will be unlocked among the similar age group to encourage “age-appropriate conversations.”
As Roblox moves forward with this global policy, users must now decide if the ability to chat is worth the potential exposure of their personal identity.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
