Malaysia to Study eKYC and Age Checks for Roblox Players

People playing Roblox and other online games in Malaysia could eventually have to prove who they are and how old they are. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government will study whether to extend electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) and age verification requirements to gaming platforms such as Roblox.

eKYC refers to verifying a person’s identity online, typically by checking an ID document or a national digital identity rather than in person. Fahmi said the study would consider problems involving underage users as well as the risk that gaming platforms could be misused by extremist, radical and terrorist groups.

“In my discussions with Roblox, for example, since last year, it has shown that they are ready to cooperate. The issue might only be in terms of user verification and user age verification,” Fahmi told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on October 19. “So we will look into the suitability of expanding aspects of eKYC and age verification to platforms like Roblox.”

The minister was responding to comments by former Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay on the issue, including its effect on underage children. Fahmi said the government monitors platforms that may be misused through bodies including the National Security Council, and that the Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission would act if needed.

Neighbouring governments have raised similar checks with Roblox. Thailand’s digital economy ministry has proposed linking its National Digital ID to Roblox accounts as part of child-safety talks with the company.

In the Philippines, the government wants an integration between Roblox’s age verification and the national ID system, an idea Roblox raised itself, to serve as the model for Meta and other platforms.

Fahmi said he would also discuss age restrictions for social media users with his Indonesian counterpart during a visit to Indonesia starting this week, noting that Indonesia has its own regulatory framework with differences and similarities to Malaysia’s.