As we’ve been reporting over the past few weeks, Roblox is currently under a very bright spotlight thanks to its apparent inability to halt sexual exploitation and predation of minors on the platform, which most recently was highlighted by a user’s removal for “digital vigilantism” activities, petitions to address lax safety measures and remove the company’s CEO, and a lawsuit filed by Louisiana’s Attorney General over child safety concerns. With all of that context in mind, it’s perhaps no wonder that Roblox Corp has laid out new age verification and estimation features that it seeks to release for all users by year’s end.

The planned measures will utilize “a combination of facial age estimation technology, ID age verification, and verified parental consent” in order to provide “a more accurate measure of a user’s age than simply relying on what someone types in when they create an account,” according to the announcement. These combined verification measures will then be applied to new systems that promise to “limit communication between adults and minors unless they know each other in the real world.”

In addition to these upcoming age estimation features, Roblox Corp has announced a partnership with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) to integrate new age and content ratings on games built within Roblox that follow global standards based on country – i.e., ESRB ratings for US users and PEGI ratings for those in the UK and EU. A rollout for this integration has not been tied down.

“Our users, creator community, parents, partners, legislators all want the same thing we do: To help keep young people safe while they play, learn, or explore on Roblox,” the company remarks. “We’re continually innovating on this front – refining and optimizing our safety systems, policies, and moderation tools.”

These updates are likely not only in response to the aforementioned legal and player highlights but also to some recent matters the UGC platform has faced, including blocks of the game across the UAE and Gulf nations over child safety concerns, as well as two more lawsuits against Roblox Corp filed in Oklahoma and Michigan that accuse the company of child exploitation and endangerment.

The list grows:
• Roblox unveils upcoming AI tools for players, a short-form video platform, and increased earnings for creators • Louisiana is now suing Roblox Corp over its alleged ‘lack of safety protocols’ to protect children • Roblox’s ban of a ‘vigilante’ who catches sexual predators in-game leads to a petition to remove the platform’s CEO • Roblox unveils a ‘sensitive issues’ tag that lets users self-identify games with a ‘polarized viewpoint’ on social topics • Roblox adds a ‘safety feature’ to let an AI guess your age from a video selfie • Roblox faces lawsuit accusing it of enabling child sexual abuse and exploitation (again) • Roblox says it will offer ads to players who want to unlock temporary access to paid content • Roblox CEO to parents: ‘If you’re not comfortable, don’t let your kids be on Roblox’ • Roblox Corp is apparently under an ‘active and ongoing investigation’ by the SEC • US government agency is hoping to extend consumer protections to virtual currencies in games like Roblox • Roblox is introducing a new Roblox-centered chat system as its answer to Discord • Roblox Corp denies short-seller’s report that it lies to investors and hosts ‘a pedophile hellscape’ • Roblox unveils plans for more revenue sharing, 100-player open worlds, and expanded AI tools • Ikea wants to pay people to sell furniture and serve meatballs inside of its digital Roblox store • Walmart now has a digital storefront for real-world goods operating from inside of Roblox • Roblox walks back statements that children earning money is a ‘gift’ and not exploitation of labor • Roblox is forcing remote staff back into the office next year • Roblox sheds 30 ‘talent acquisition’ employees as part of a company plan to improve its profits • Roblox conference cut short after police arrested an allegedly armed community developer • Roblox faces class action lawsuit that accuses the game of turning a blind eye to third-party gambling rings • Roblox apologizes for data breach that leaked nearly 4000 employees’ personal details • Roblox aims to be ‘one of the biggest virtual economies on Earth’ through additional creator monetization tools • A year after FTC complaint, Roblox will now hide ads for players 13 and under • Singapore detains teen for playing on Roblox terrorist worlds • Parent puts Roblox on blast for her first-hand experiences of troubling games and failed content filtering • Roblox’s sketchy monetization attracts kids, parents, and hungry corporations alike • Roblox faces lawsuit alleging it enabled the sexual exploitation of a minor • Roblox removes games depicting the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but only after a BBC inquiry • Roblox announces plans for ‘immersive ads’ and a marketplace with ‘scarcity’ • Watchdog group files complaint against Roblox with the FTC over deceptive ‘advergames’ • Roblox runs afoul of Kim Kardashian after a creator purports to have created a game featuring a sex tape • Paris Hilton opens a ‘metaverse business’ in Roblox that will host a virtual DJ set on New Year’s Eve • Roblox’s CEO has apparently dodged millions in taxes using a ‘small business’ exemption loophole • Roblox’s business model prompts fresh accusations of child labor exploitation • Roblox sues toxic player for $1.6M over ‘terrorist threats’ and ‘targeted harassment’ of employees and players • Roblox’s shameless exploitation of child labor is why we can’t have nice things • Roblox scalpers make an absolute killing selling in-game Gucci handbags • Today in why we can’t have nice things: Roblox players were banned after ‘raping’ little girl’s avatar sources: Roblox Corp site, Business Wire, Anadolu Ajansi, News 9 Oklahoma, The Upper Michigan Source