As one of the world`s leading video game platforms, particularly popular among minors, Roblox has consistently invested significantly in trust and safety technologies over the past decade. As part of its ongoing dedication to combating abuse, misuse, and harm, the company is rolling out an innovative system to verify players` ages: `age estimation` through the analysis of video selfies.
In a recent press release, Roblox announced a reconfiguration of its social features to enhance the protection of minors from potentially untrustworthy or exploitative interactions. This initiative includes the introduction of a new two-tiered `Connections` system to manage how players interact: standard and `Trusted Connections`.
Players who establish `Trusted Connections` will gain the ability to communicate without restrictions, including access to party and text chat without filters. However, attaining the status of `Trusted Connections` will require navigating several verification steps designed to significantly reduce the potential for child exploitation or other forms of harm.
Most importantly, the `Trusted Connections` feature will only become available once players verify their ages. This verification process can be completed either by uploading a valid ID or by utilizing Roblox`s newly implemented Age Estimation mechanism. This innovative system requests players to upload a video selfie, which is then processed by the company and compared against “a large and diverse dataset,” as detailed in their press release. Roblox assures users that this data will be handled “securely,” although specific details regarding the privacy and security protocols related to these video selfies were not fully disclosed.
Upon successful age verification, players aged between 13 and 17 years old can establish `Trusted Connections` with peers in the same age bracket. Should a minor wish to create a `Trusted Connection` with a player over 18 years old, the minor will be required to confirm a real-life relationship with that individual using a QR code or by uploading a contact list. Notably, players under 13 years old will not be permitted to create these types of connections.
These comprehensive efforts to bolster protection for players under 18 come during a dynamic year for the company. While the Roblox platform recently hosted “Grow a Garden,” an experience that remarkably surpassed Fortnite`s record for concurrent players online in June, researchers specializing in online communities continue to voice concerns regarding Roblox`s vulnerabilities, especially those pertaining to child safety.