Roblox, the online gaming platform that has come under fire due to child safety issueshas introduced age verification software which uses facial scanning to estimate the age of players.
The system is currently voluntary, but by the first week of December it will become a requirement in markets such as Australia, the Netherlands and New Zealand to allow players to communicate with other players online. By early January, players in all Roblox markets, including the US, will be required to use the software if they want to participate in chats with other players. Roblox said it also launched Security Center with information for parents and parental control tools.
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Roblox says the age verification system is being created to limit contact between adults and children, a major concern among child safety advocates.
How does this work
Roblox's new age verification feature uses a 3D scan of a player's face using a webcam or mobile device camera to estimate a person's age. Based on this assessment, the player can use online chat with other players in his age group.
In the video As for the software, Roblox states that it immediately deletes captured images or videos once the age verification is completed.
Age verification is performed by the Roblox provider by name Person.
After verification is completed, players are divided into the following age categories: under 9, 9–12, 13–15, 16–17, 18–20 or 21 and older. The company said that anyone under 9 years old will not be allowed to chat without parental permission. Chats will not necessarily be strictly limited to these age groups. Roblox said players “can only communicate with their peers in their group or similar groups, as applicable.”
The company said it is also taking measures such as limiting media sharing between players and using artificial intelligence to monitor chats.
Ongoing controversy
One of the goals of the launch, which was first announced in the summerwas to address criticism that the platform does not adequately protect underage Roblox players.
Roblox is currently facing dozens of lawsuits related to allegations of sexual abuse and child exploitation by families of children who played Roblox. He is also the subject of investigations or lawsuits by states, including Florida, TexasLouisiana and Kentucky.
Roblox suffered a setback earlier this month when a California judge rejected the company's offer transfer one of these claims to private proceedings.
The company says its security features go beyond what other gaming platforms offer to protect minors.
According to the company post about security features: “Roblox is the first online gaming or communication platform to require facial age verification to access chat, setting what we believe will be a new industry standard.”
