Roblox , one of the most popular apps, now requires kids as young as nine to submit selfie videos for age verification . After a partial rollout in November last year, the requirement is now rolling out globally. The company says users will see the update within the next week.
After facing intense criticism for not adequately protecting children, Roblox first announced an 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: Texas: Judge blocks age verification law in the App Store
Using a combination of facial age estimation technology, age verification through identity , and 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). Roblox will also be rolling out new systems designed to limit communication between adults and minorsunless they know each other in real life.
Most children do not have government-issued ID, which means the majority will likely use the selfie video to verify age.
The updated policy, which the company announced earlier this year, will first be enforced in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands and will be expanded to all other markets gradually.
See also: Apple's privacy-focused age verification would solve two problems
Roblox: Age verification with selfie video
After age verification or estimation, Roblox will categorize users into 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 connected to people who are not in the same or similar age group (in in-game chats).
The company said that selfie videos are only required to access chat features and are deleted after verification is complete.
Pressure for age verification
A combination of public pressure and new laws means more developers will be forced to verify the age of their users.
Right now, the legal responsibility lies with developers. This means that users, including children, will be required to upload photo or video selfie identification more and more often.
See also: California: Apple must comply with yet another age verification law in the App Store
However, many argue that these age verification methods are a privacy nightmare. Some argue that it would be better to have check Apple and Google once and then block the download of age-inappropriate apps.
It would also be a better user experience if everyone only had to verify their age once, instead of every time they download a new age-restricted app.
While Apple has so far resisted this, it may eventually have no choice. At least nine US states are considering legislation that would owners app store (like Apple and Google) responsible for age verification before granting access to apps.
