Roblox rolls out mandatory age verification for chat features globally
If you want to chat on Roblox, get your ID ready. The platform is expanding mandatory age verification globally, raising new questions about data privacy and user safety.
(Image credit: Roblox)
- 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 criticised similar age check methods on security grounds
After testing it in a few markets, Roblox has announced that it is expanding its facial age verification for voice and text chat features to all regions, effective immediately.
Previously limited to specific territories and age groups, the new policy means that any user wishing to utilize the platform's social communication tools must prove their age to do so. This involves agreeing to their face being scanned to be assigned to the right age group and being able to communicate with others in similar age groups. Users can challenge this age estimation with other methods, including ID verification or parental controls.
The move comes amidst a sweeping global trend of tightened 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 behavior.
However, similar age verification methods have previously had privacy advocates concerned. As digital anonymity erodes, users are also becoming more conscious of their digital footprint. That's why many people are increasingly turning to the best VPN apps to evade mandatory age checks and protect their online data.
In the official announcement, Roblox states that this global rollout is essential for fostering a "civil and safe" community. Yet, for many players, the requirement to hand over their sensitive details to a video game developer could feel like a significant privacy trade-off.
The privacy risks of data centralization
(Image credit: Getty Images)
While the intent behind Roblox's announcement is clearly to improve safety for younger users – with the platform ensuring that privacy remains "paramount"– age verification methods based on facial age estimation or ID document scans could create a new vector of risk.
That's because, when a platform collects millions of ID documents and biometric details, it becomes a massive target for cybercriminals. We have seen this scenario play out recently. Just last year, , where nearly 70,000 government ID photos were exposed.