As one of the world ‘ s largest video games platforms, especially with a relatively high percentage of minors among its players, Roblox has had to invest heavily in trust and security technology over the past decade. And in order to achieve its goal of “adult social platform”, Roblox is implementing an increasingly rigorous age test, which, according to Gamespot, the Roblox program requires players to upload their self-image.
According to a press release issued by Roblox, Roblox announced that it was reconfiguring the way in which its social functions operated to better protect minors from unreliable or potentially exploitative interactions. As part of its ongoing efforts to combat abuse, futility and harm, Roblox will launch a new system to validate the age of players: “age assessment” by analysing self-generated videos.
First, Roblox introduced a two-tiered “connection” system to manage the connection between players: common connections and “credible connections”. Two players who become “credible connections” will be able to communicate with each other without restriction, including through teaming and non-filtered text chats. However, becoming a “credible link” requires the removal of multiple barriers aimed at reducing the likelihood of child exploitation or other types of harm.
Most fundamentally, the “credible connection” function will only be unlocked once the player has verified his or her age, requiring the uploading of identity documents or the use of the new age assessment mechanism of Roblox. According to the press release, the new system requires the player to upload a self-generated video, which is then processed by the company and compared with “a large and diverse data set”. Roblox promised that the data would be processed “safe”, although there were no specific details of privacy and security mechanisms associated with sharing and video self-censorship.
Upon verification of age, players between the ages of 13 and 17 can create “credible connections”. If the minor wishes to establish a “credible connection” with a player over 18 years of age, the minor must prove his/her relationship by scanning a 2-dimensional code or uploading a message. Players under 13 will not be able to create such connections.
This effort to better protect players under the age of 18 is taking place in a year of turmoil for companies. The Roblox platform carries the game ” Grow a Garden ” , which broke the single and simultaneous online record of Fort Night in June. However, researchers in the online community continue to warn against the loopholes in Roblox, especially those related to child safety.
