Roblox oneof the most popular apps for kids in the world, now requires users as young as nine to submit selfie videos for age verification.
Roblox: Age verification via selfie video
After criticism that it doesn't adequately protect children, Roblox announced an upcoming age verification process a few months ago. The company said it would do this to limit communication between adults and children in chat.
See also: Iraq blocks Roblox over concerns for children
Using a combination of facial age estimation technology, age verification through identity, and verified parental consent, this process will provide a more accurate measure of a user's age (rather than simply relying on what someone types in when creating an account). With this information, Roblox will also launch new systems designed to limit communication between adults and minors unless they know each other in real life.
However, most children do not have government ID, which means the majority will likely use the selfie video option to verify age.
The policy is now in place in three countries and will be rolled out globally by early next year. Specifically, the updated policy will first be implemented in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands and will be expanded to all other markets.
See also: Florida: Charges against Roblox over child safety
Classification into solar groups
After verifying or estimating a user's age, Roblox will place them in an age group ranging from 9 and under to 21 and over (there are six age groups in total). Teens and children will not be able to communicate with people outside or close to the estimated age group.
Age verification due to intense pressures
The combination of public pressure and emerging legislation is forcing more and more developers to verify the age of their users.
For now, the legal responsibility lies with developers. This means that users, including children, will increasingly be required to upload IDs or video selfies to an ever-growing range of software companies.
See also: Roblox: New safety features for teenage users
On the other hand, access to identities and selfies by companies and developers is a privacy nightmare. It might be better if Apple and Google (rather than a bunch of individual developers) did the checking and then simply blocked app downloads that weren't age-appropriate.
It would also be more convenient if each of us only had to verify our age once, instead of every time we download a new app with age restrictions.
