Podcast Summary: Roblox CEO Talks Photo-Based Age Verification

Podcast: Bloomberg Talks
Episode: Roblox CEO Talks Photo-Based Age Verification
Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Bloomberg Interviewer
Guest: David Zukey (CEO, Roblox)

Overview of the Episode

This episode features an interview with Roblox CEO David Zukey discussing the company’s new age verification technology, which leverages AI-driven facial estimation as part of a broad initiative to set a “gold standard” for online safety, especially for a platform with over 150 million daily users. The conversation explores the operational rollout, the impact on platform growth and user safety, privacy maturity, and the implications for advertisers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction of Age Verification Technology

• Roblox is implementing photo-based (AI) age verification for all users wishing to use chat or communications features.
• Rollout Timeline: Begins December 2025, fully implemented by January 2026, across all devices.
• Process:
  • Quick image capture analyzed by AI.
  • Aggregates additional signals (not just facial data).
  • Core goal: Prevent minors from communicating with adults, increase platform security.

David Zukey: "We're rolling out what we believe will be the gold standard for the future of Internet safety... Take a quick image, we'll analyze your age with AI, complement it with a bunch of other signals..." (01:00–01:31)

2. Measuring the Success of Safety Initiatives

• Platform context: Already filters all text, disallows image-sharing, monitors for critical harms, and cooperates with law enforcement.
• Age verification is additive: It's part of a broader, ongoing investment in safety (over 100 safety innovations in the last year).
• Success metrics: Will have better estimates on user ages, plan to build on trusted network features.

David Zukey: "I see this as an addition to everything we're doing and really to our vision of what we've been calling the gold standard." (02:08–02:15)

3. Robustness and Privacy of Photo Verification

• Third-party vendor: Persona I is utilized for verification.
• Security: Uses multiple signals, can repeat verification attempts for accuracy.
• Comparisons: Recognizes flaws in other platforms’ verification; Roblox uses a more robust, layered approach.

David Zukey: "There's a bunch of other signals we have in addition to the facial age estimation and we do have the ability to estimate several times if we need to..." (03:15–03:24)

4. Potential Impact on User Growth and Platform Economics

• Possible short-term friction: Acknowledges user verification can slow growth or revenue as users adapt.
• Long-term vision: Believes safety and trust will boost sustainable growth and the platform’s reputation.
• User base: All ages, with the rapidly growing over-13 demographic.

David Zukey: "We believe over 10% of the global gaming market... is going to be running on Roblox... Long term, we believe this is just the right thing for the platform." (03:56–04:20)

5. Age Demographics & Data Accuracy

• Estimates: Confident in the system's reasonable accuracy, validated through internal testing.
• Expectations: Over time, data accuracy and demographic clarity will improve, aiding platform management and marketing.

David Zukey: "The facial age estimation tech we're going to use is pretty reasonable and pretty accurate. I've tried it, some of my kids have tried it, we've tried it within our staff..." (04:50–05:06)

6. Implications for Advertisers & Platform Economy

• Ad Targeting: More precise age data enables safer and more accurate ad targeting, especially for advertisers interested in the 18+ segment.
• Ecosystem: Roblox's economy remains largely driven by virtual currency (Robux), but advertising is a growing complement.

David Zukey: "Our economy is primarily driven right now by our virtual economy powered by Robux. But advertising is a wonderful complement... they'll have a better idea of really the number of people over 18 on our platform." (05:28–06:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Responsibility:

"What an enormous responsibility with 150 million users every day coming to the platform..." — David Zukey (01:03)

• On Being a Safety Leader:

"We're the first really major gaming platform to use AI to estimate the age of everyone on the platform who wants to use chat and communicate." — David Zukey (01:08)

• On Platform Growth:

"...in the earnings call... we shared this amazing growth, both on bookings and use in the 70% year on year rate." — David Zukey (03:58)

• On Ad Opportunity:

"...that's an amazing amount of engagement... advertising is a wonderful compliment..." — David Zukey (05:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 00:40 | Interview introduction: Why age verification now? | | 01:00 | Age verification rollout details and motivation | | 02:06 | How success will be measured, building on safety | | 03:15 | Technical robustness and privacy of verification | | 03:56 | Balancing safety with platform growth | | 04:50 | Data expectations and accuracy of demographic splits | | 05:28 | Impact on advertising and platform economy |

Conclusion

This episode provides an in-depth look at how Roblox is setting ambitious new standards for online safety with AI-driven photo-based age verification. CEO David Zukey outlines the company's comprehensive safety program, recognizes the trade-offs in user growth, and anticipates significant benefits for advertisers and platform trust. The conversation offers valuable insight into the future of youth digital safety, platform management, and online business models.