Roblox has launched an AI-powered chat rephraser that replaces inappropriate language with more appropriate alternatives in real time. The gaming platform previously used hash marks (####) to censor violations, but found this approach disruptive to conversations. The new system, starting with profanity, rephrases messages like “Hurry TF up” to “Hurry up!” while flagging edits for all participants.

Chief Safety Officer Rajiv Bhatia described the feature as creating a “flywheel for civility,” where real-time feedback helps users adopt community standards. The rephraser rolls out to age-verified users in similar age groups and supports all languages available in Roblox’s translation tool. Users who repeatedly violate policies still face penalties despite AI rephrasing. The system shows senders exactly what language was edited out, providing transparency about content moderation.

This launch comes amid mounting legal pressure on Roblox, which faces lawsuits from LA County and Louisiana’s Attorney General over child safety concerns. The company implemented mandatory age verification in January after reports of adult users allegedly grooming children through the platform. While under-13 users now have restricted chat access, authorities argue these measures haven’t adequately addressed exploitation risks. The AI rephraser represents Roblox’s latest attempt to balance free expression with safety as it navigates both technical challenges and legal scrutiny.