Latest news with #RyanEbanks
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Roblox launches age-gated unfiltered chat feature: What it means for users
Roblox has unveiled its 'Trusted Connections' feature, launching this Thursday alongside an innovative age‑verification system that allows verified users aged 13+ to enjoy unfiltered chat and party features. The company's adoption of age screening technology comes amid an increasing push for digital safety across the US. Several states, like Utah, have introduced legislation requiring app store platforms ike Apple and Google to implement age verification systems for accessing certain apps. Roblox launches Trusted Connections and age-verification system for users 13+, enhancing digital safety.(Representative Image: Unsplash) Also Read: Good Trouble Lives On protests today: Schedule, locations, and details on anti-Trump rallies across US Roblox's unfiltered chat feature requires age verification Formerly known as Friends, Roblox's chat feature has now turned into Connections, according to Ryan Ebanks, a Roblox principal product manager for social products. He added that the new tech will prompt users above 13 years old to use the facial analysis software to determine their age in order to use to establish if they can access the new 'trusted connections' which will provide them the space to have unfiltered chats with other users who have gone through the same age screen process, as reported by NBC. According to Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman's blog post, the age estimator software urges users to take a video selfie of themselves, 'which is analyzed against a large and diverse dataset to estimate their age.' Kaufman continued, 'If the system is not able to estimate the user's age with high confidence, then the user's age will remain unconfirmed and the user won't be able to access Trusted Connections." In case the user fails to pass the age estimation software, but they are genuinely above the age of 13, they can still access the new chat feature by confirming their age via ID verification, 'and, in the future, verified parental consent." Roblox partnered with Persona to introduce the new age screening tech, revealed Ebanks during a call with reporters, adding that the biometric data will be deleted within 30 days of being collected, as reported by The Verge. Also Read: Trump admin blasted for planning to burn 500 metric tons of emergency food meant for starving kids, 'Government abuse' Can teens add adults to Trusted Connections? Users aged between 13 and 17 will be able to add each other as Trusted Connections. However, that will not be the case when the teenagers are required to add adults. To add anyone aged 18 or above as a Trusted Connection by the teens, they will have to do so by scanning a QR code offline or via Roblox's Contact Importer feature, according to Kaufman. This is to ensure teenagers do not engage with adult strangers. While the chats on Trusted Connections can be unfiltered, Robloc will monitor them for any 'critical harm.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Roblox introduces new safeguards for teens, including age estimation tech
Roblox announced Thursday that it's launching new safeguards for people who are between the ages of 13 and 18. The company is introducing 'Trusted Connections' to allows these users to connect more freely with people they know, alongside age estimation technology, more privacy tools, and insights for parents of teens. Roblox has come under fire in recent years for how it handles child safety. In April, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a subpoena to Roblox in response to reports that children were exposed to harmful material on the platform and that predatory adults were able to message minors on the app. The changes announced Thursday are likely part of Roblox's efforts to appease both lawmakers and parents. The teen-focused update comes eight months after Roblox launched protections for users under the age of 13. Roblox is renaming 'Friends' to 'Connections' and launching 'Trusted Connections' to allow teens to communicate more freely in chat and voice with people they trust. With Trusted Connections, users can chat without filters. 'Users the system determines are 13+ will get access to more expressive chat features with their Trusted Connections,' said Ryan Ebanks, senior product manager at Roblox, in a briefing with reporters. 'This additional freedom reduces the incentive for teens to move interactions off platform where they may be exposed to greater risk.' Roblox notes that conversations between Trusted Connections are proactively monitored for critical harm (e.g., grooming). Plus, parents can view who their teen is connected to as a Trusted Connection. To unlock Trusted Connections, users need to use the platform's new age estimation technology to verify their age by taking a selfie video; they must receive an estimation of at least 13 years old to access Trusted Connections. Roblox notes that if the system is unable to verify age with high confidence, their age will remain unconfirmed. If the user doesn't pass the age estimation, they can confirm their age with ID verification. Users 13 to 17 who have their age confirmed can add each other as a Trusted Connection. Unfiltered communication between users aged 18 and above and teens is blocked unless a preexisting real-life relationship is verified via a QR code. The company plans to use age estimation across its platform to support user access to age-appropriate features and content. As for the new privacy tools, teens can now decide who can see if they're online. They can set this to be visible to just their Connections, followers, no one, or everyone on Roblox. They can now also set a window during which push notifications from Roblox are silenced. Roblox is giving parents access to a suite of tools to understand their child's usage and presence on the platform. Parents can now view who their teen is connected to, as well as how much time their teen spends on the platform and in which games. Plus, parents can choose to be notified when their teen makes a certain transaction on Roblox. 'We know that parents are extremely busy, and so we've designed these to really be quick at a glance insights that parents can hopefully fit into their busy schedules,' said Dina Lamdany, senior product manager at Roblox, in the briefing. Sign in to access your portfolio
TechCrunch
5 days ago
- TechCrunch
Roblox introduces new safeguards for teens, including age estimation tech
Roblox announced Thursday that it's launching new safeguards for people who are between the ages of 13 and 18. The company is introducing 'Trusted Connections' to allows these users to connect more freely with people they know, alongside age estimation technology, more privacy tools, and insights for parents of teens. Roblox has come under fire in recent years for how it handles child safety. In April, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a subpoena to Roblox in response to reports that children were exposed to harmful material on the platform and that predatory adults were able to message minors on the app. The changes announced Thursday are likely part of Roblox's efforts to appease both lawmakers and parents. The teen-focused update comes eight months after Roblox launched protections for users under the age of 13. Image Credits:Roblox Roblox is renaming 'Friends' to 'Connections' and launching 'Trusted Connections' to allow teens to communicate more freely in chat and voice with people they trust. With Trusted Connections, users can chat without filters. 'Users the system determines are 13+ will get access to more expressive chat features with their Trusted Connections,' said Ryan Ebanks, senior product manager at Roblox, in a briefing with reporters. 'This additional freedom reduces the incentive for teens to move interactions off platform where they may be exposed to greater risk.' Roblox notes that conversations between Trusted Connections are proactively monitored for critical harm (e.g., grooming). Plus, parents can view who their teen is connected to as a Trusted Connection. To unlock Trusted Connections, users need to use the platform's new age estimation technology to verify their age by taking a selfie video; they must receive an estimation of at least 13 years old to access Trusted Connections. Roblox notes that if the system is unable to verify age with high confidence, their age will remain unconfirmed. If the user doesn't pass the age estimation, they can confirm their age with ID verification. Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW Image Credits:Roblox Users 13 to 17 who have their age confirmed can add each other as a Trusted Connection. Unfiltered communication between users aged 18 and above and teens is blocked unless a preexisting real-life relationship is verified via a QR code. The company plans to use age estimation across its platform to support user access to age-appropriate features and content. As for the new privacy tools, teens can now decide who can see if they're online. They can set this to be visible to just their Connections, followers, no one, or everyone on Roblox. They can now also set a window during which push notifications from Roblox are silenced. Image Credits:Roblox Roblox is giving parents access to a suite of tools to understand their child's usage and presence on the platform. Parents can now view who their teen is connected to, as well as how much time their teen spends on the platform and in which games. Plus, parents can choose to be notified when their teen makes a certain transaction on Roblox. 'We know that parents are extremely busy, and so we've designed these to really be quick at a glance insights that parents can hopefully fit into their busy schedules,' said Dina Lamdany, senior product manager at Roblox, in the briefing.
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Roblox adds features for teens to talk less restrictedly to real-life friends
Roblox, the popular online gaming and social platform among kids and teens, is introducing new chat features for users ages 13 and up, allowing them to connect more directly with trusted real-life friends. Previously, Roblox categorized all connections equally. Now, the platform is adding a new classification called 'trusted connections,' intended for users who know each other outside of Roblox. Verified users 13 and older—typically through a new video-based age estimation system developed with identity verification company Persona —will be able to engage in what the company refers to as unfiltered chat sessions with these trusted contacts. While these voice and text conversations will still be monitored for harmful behavior, they will not support video or photo sharing. 'This makes Roblox the only major platform that will require age verification, like facial age estimation, in order to use private voice or unfiltered chat,' says Ryan Ebanks, principal product manager for social products at Roblox. Age verification is becoming more common across digital platforms. Reddit, for example, recently implemented Persona-powered age verification for users accessing adult content in the UK. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law requiring age verification for adult online content. Roblox users can also verify their age by using an official ID, and the company plans to allow parents to verify their children's ages in the future. These efforts are part of Roblox's broader initiative to maintain its appeal among youth and parents while ensuring the platform remains safe—especially in light of high-profile incidents involving predatory behavior and inappropriate and violent content. Despite controversies, Roblox continues to thrive: As of May, its first-quarter revenue rose 29% year over year, to $1.035 billion, and daily active users climbed 26%, to 97.8 million. Allowing unfiltered chats with trusted connections may enhance safety, Ebanks suggests, by discouraging teens from taking conversations to external platforms with weaker safeguards. Roblox will also provide teens with additional guidance on blocking and reporting unwanted interactions. Users younger than 18 can only add adults as trusted connections if they can confirm a real-life relationship—currently by syncing phone contacts or scanning a QR code in person, with safeguards to ensure proper usage. Parents who link their Roblox accounts to their teens' will gain more visibility into their children's activity. They'll be able to see their kids' connections, including which are trusted; track time spent on the platform; monitor top games played; and configure notifications for financial transactions. 'We know that parents are extremely busy, and so we've designed these to really be quick at-a-glance insights that parents can hopefully fit into their busy schedules,' says Dina Lamdany, senior product manager at Roblox. Teens over 13 will also be able to view their own screen time, set daily limits, activate do-not-disturb periods, and better manage who can see their online status. 'We've heard directly from teens that they're really nervous about being too visible online,' Lamdany says. She adds that some developers are even looking forward to logging in without appearing visible to others. These new features reflect Roblox's broader effort to address challenges common to online platforms, such as managing screen time and reducing unwanted communication—while also dealing with the unique responsibilities of serving a young user base. In recent years, Roblox has introduced content tailored to older users, including edgier experiences for those 17 and older, while continuing to invest in educational and safety-focused content for younger players. 'Our goal is that Roblox matures with you—that you can start playing and learning when you're 7, and you can stay on the platform until you're in your 70s—but that the experience you have on Roblox will really adapt and be customized to meet you where you are,' Lamdany says.
The Verge
5 days ago
- The Verge
Roblox will require a facial scan or government ID to have unfiltered chats
Roblox is introducing a way to let trusted friends chat more freely among themselves, but it will require that they use a new age estimation tool to verify that they're over 13. The platform is renaming Friends to Connections, and people can only use unfiltered text chat and the Party social feature with a more exclusive group of 'Trusted Connections.' The new age estimator tool prompts users to take a video selfie, 'which is analyzed against a large and diverse dataset to estimate their age,' according to a blog post from chief safety officer Matt Kaufman. 'If the system is not able to estimate the user's age with high confidence, then the user's age will remain unconfirmed and the user won't be able to access Trusted Connections,' Kaufman says. If a user doesn't pass the age estimation tool but they are actually over 13, they will be able to confirm their age via ID verification 'and, in the future, verified parental consent.' Roblox partnered with identity verification company Persona on the age estimation technology, Roblox's Ryan Ebanks said in a call with reporters, and he says biometric data will be deleted 30 days after collection 'except for a few exceptions where legally required.' Persona is 'providing the core age estimation and ID verification services to Roblox,' spokesperson Juliet Chaitin-Lefcourt tells The Verge, and 'Persona's model is integrated into the Roblox app with additional UI and logic that has been customized by Roblox.' Users 13 through 17 who have their age confirmed will be able to add each other as Trusted Connections. Teens will only be able to add someone older than 18 as a Trusted Connection if they know them in real life, Kaufman says, and they can do that by scanning a QR code in person or using Roblox's Contact Importer feature. Although chats with Trusted Connections can be unfiltered, Roblox will monitor the conversations for 'critical harm.' 'This includes, but isn't limited to, any predatory behavior aimed at manipulating or harming minors, the sexualization of minors, engaging in inappropriate sexual conversations with or requesting sexual content, and any involvement with child sexual abuse material,' Chaitin-Lefcourt says. Last year, a Bloomberg report highlighted issues with predators on the platform, and the company introduced safety tools like letting parents block and report people on their child's friend list and has banned kids under 13 from accessing 'social hangout' spaces. Age verification has growing momentum behind it — platforms like Bluesky and Reddit also recently rolled out age verification tools in the UK to comply with the Online Safety Act, and the EU is testing a prototype age verification app. Roblox is also introducing new features intended to support users' well-being. A new option will let people control who sees whether they're online. (Before, they could only hide which experience they were in.) Users can also set a Do Not Disturb timeframe to silence Roblox's push notifications, and teens will be able to set their own screentime limits (a feature previously limited to parents).
