Roblox's age-verification rollout shows no headwinds, may become a strength: MS

Investing.com -- Roblox’s new facial age-verification system, initially viewed as a risk to engagement, may instead bolster the platform’s reputation for safety and privacy, according to Morgan Stanley.

The bank says early test-market data show “no discernible impact on RBLX engagement,” challenging investor fears ahead of the global rollout in early 2026.

In October, Roblox announced that users will need to verify their age with a “one-time photo of their face” to access unrestricted chat and social features, though gameplay and spending will remain open to all users without verification.

With little historical precedent for such a policy, “investors have questioned whether RBLX could face meaningful headwinds to user engagement and monetization in ’26,” Morgan Stanley notes.

But the company launched its facial age-estimation tool on Dec. 3 in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands. After one week, analyst Matthew Cost says the data indicate that fears “may be misplaced.”

Morgan Stanley reports that the Netherlands has shown “stronger user growth… compared to Belgium” and growth “in-line with Germany and France.”

Meanwhile, “both Australia and New Zealand grew users faster than the UK and in line with Canada.”

The bank concludes that despite slightly higher friction in communication features, “users may remain just as enthusiastic about playing games on RBLX as ever.”

If these trends continue through year-end and into the global rollout, Morgan Stanley says the market may even conclude the new system is “actually bullish for RBLX,” allowing the company to “take control of its destiny (and the narrative around privacy).”

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