Roblox exec says checking the age verification box is ‘no longer enough’

Eliza Jacobs, Vice President of Safety Product Policy at Roblox, said: NBC News Roblox is “optimistic” that its new facial age estimation technology “will continue to improve,” saying: “Checking the box to say you’re 13 or older is no longer enough.” NBC invited a group of kids to try out Roblox’s new age verification process for video selfies, but they couldn’t beat it with a fake mustache. Jacobs claims that facial age estimates in Roblox can typically arrive “within 1.4 years of the child’s exact age.”

Roblox announced its plans in April to begin using video selfie age estimation technology for Sort players into age groups. Users under 16 and under 9 are now categorized into Roblox Select and Kids accounts, respectively, with access to chat and certain types of games restricted. Players can also use a government ID to verify their age, or parents can manually select their child’s age range.

In April, Roblox reported a Decrease in daily users After subtracting age tests. However, Jacobs stood by the platform’s age verification procedures, saying: “We have a long-term vision for safety and civility on the platform that we are building to achieve what we believe in.” “It’s okay if some people aren’t always happy about it,” she added.