Roblox Corporation announced a mandatory age‑verification step for all users who wish to access chat, effective immediately in the United States and rolling out across all regions within the following week. The policy requires every user to complete a facial age‑estimation check powered by Persona, with images deleted after processing, before any chat functionality is enabled.
Users aged 13 and older may opt for an alternative identity verification that uses a government‑issued ID, while chat remains disabled for children under nine unless a parent consents after an age check. The move is part of Roblox’s broader safety strategy, which also includes text filtering, image blocking, and new parental controls, and aligns with heightened global regulatory scrutiny of child safety online.
Roblox’s Q3 2025 earnings showed revenue of $1.92 billion, up 48% year‑over‑year, and an earnings‑per‑share loss of $0.37, a figure that exceeded analyst expectations. Management highlighted that margin compression is expected in 2026 due to investments in safety infrastructure, developer exchange rates, and platform scalability. The company also noted that it captured 3.2% of global gaming revenue in the third quarter, with a long‑term target of 10% market share.
Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman said the age‑verification rollout is “our next step toward what we believe will be the gold standard for communication safety.” Vice President Rajiv Bhatia added that the policy will “protect younger users while preserving the social experience for older players.” CEO David Baszucki emphasized that the initiative is a proactive compliance measure designed to reduce legal risk and enhance brand trust among parents and regulators.
Early test‑market data indicate that the new requirement has not produced a discernible impact on daily active users or virtual‑goods revenue, suggesting that friction from the verification process may be limited. However, developers who rely heavily on in‑experience text chat may experience a temporary dip in engagement as users complete the checks, and the policy could influence the mix of user demographics on the platform.
The age‑verification system also raises privacy concerns, as it involves facial data and optional ID submission. Roblox has stated that all biometric data is deleted immediately after verification, and that alternative verification methods are available to mitigate privacy risks. By setting a first‑mover standard for age verification in a large online gaming platform, Roblox may influence industry practices and regulatory expectations worldwide.
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