CICC urges Roblox to use National ID to tighten user verification

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is pushing gaming platform Roblox to integrate the Philippine National ID System (PhilSys) into its verification system.

Speaking at a public briefing on Wednesday, CICC Executive Director Aboy Paraiso said talks held Tuesday produced a unified list of non-negotiable demands, including stricter age verification measures. These will be presented to Roblox representatives on April 7.

“May problema talaga. May mga problema sa platform ng Roblox… Hindi enough yung safeguards ng platform para protektahan ang ating kabataan,” he said.

(There really is a problem. There are problems on the Roblox platform… The safeguards of the platform are not enough to protect the youth.)

“It is entirely up to Roblox kung maba-ban sila o hindi… It really depends on their commitment when they come here to the Philippines. On April 7 ang naka-schedule natin sa kanila,” he added.

(It is entirely up to Roblox if they will be banned or not… It really depends on their commitment when they come here to the Philippines. Our schedule with them is on April 7.)

Paraiso said that Roblox has a weak verification system, which only depends on facial recognition.

“Kailangan yung verification nila, hindi lang yung face… Akala mo, nagpe-facetime ka lang. ‘Yun yung face verification niya, age verification na yun. Nakakapag-chat na siya, nakakapag-announce siya sa adults… Kailangan ma-improve yun,” he said.

(Their verification should not only be the face… You would think you’re only using facetime. That’s their face verification, that’s already age verification. You would already be able to chat and announce to adults… That needs to be improved.)

CICC said that the system can be tied to the PhilSys for stricter vetting of the age.

In addition, he said that Roblox needed to add a reporting mechanism to identify threat actors or criminals.

“They're asking for protection from the Philippine government. They must be here. They have to submit to our jurisdiction,” he said.

Roblox remains accessible, but faces a potential ban in the country if it fails to address alleged illegal activities on the platform.

In a statement to GMA News Online, Roblox said that it was committed to maintaining the safety of its users within the platform.—LDF, GMA News