TL;DR: The 2025 COPPA updates finally caught up to the tech. Gaming companies can no longer "accidentally" hoard your child's facial scans or voiceprints. While the $20M Microsoft fine was a wake-up call, the real battle is in the settings menu of apps like Roblox and Fortnite. You need to check your "Biometric Data" toggles now.
If you’ve been following the news (or just hanging out in the school parking lot), you probably heard about that $20 million fine the FTC slapped on Microsoft for how they handled Xbox account data. It wasn't just a "oops, we forgot a checkbox" situation; it was a years-long habit of keeping data on kids that should have been deleted.
But that was just the beginning. As we move through 2026, the stakes have shifted from "what is my kid’s email address?" to "what does my kid’s facial structure look like?" and "how does their voice sound when they’re angry at a teammate?"
Between AI-driven NPCs and VR headsets that track eye movement, gaming privacy isn't about passwords anymore. It’s about biometrics.
In the old days (like, 2022), data privacy was about your zip code and your credit card. In 2026, the most valuable data is you. Biometrics are physical or behavioral characteristics that can be used to identify a person.
In games, this looks like:
- Facial Geometry: Used for Meta Quest avatars to mimic your kid's real-life smiles or for "face-tracking" in VRChat.
- Voiceprints: Not just the audio of the chat, but the unique mathematical "print" of your child’s voice.
- Eye Tracking: Used in high-end VR to see exactly what an ad or a game mechanic your child is looking at.
The new 2025 COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) rules specifically hammered home that this data is "sensitive." Companies can't just harvest it under a generic "we collect data to improve our services" clause. They need your explicit, separate "yes" for biometrics.
You’ve probably noticed that Roblox and Minecraft are leaning hard into AI. Whether it’s AI-powered moderation or NPCs (non-player characters) that can actually hold a conversation, these systems need data to learn.
When your kid spends three hours talking to an AI "friend" in a game, that AI is learning their speech patterns, their vocabulary (yes, even the "Ohio" and "Skibidi" stuff), and their emotional triggers.
The $20M Microsoft fine was a warning shot because they were keeping this kind of "pre-account" data indefinitely. The concern for us is that once a biometric profile or an AI "personality map" of your child is created, it’s very hard to "un-know" that information.
Every platform handles this differently. Here is the breakdown of what you’re actually agreeing to when you click "Accept."
After the fine, Microsoft cleaned up their act—mostly because they had to. They now have a much clearer "Age-Appropriate" onboarding process. If you’re setting up a new console, pay attention to the "Data Retention" section. They are now required to delete "incomplete" account data within two weeks.
Sony has been aggressive with "Safety Monitoring." This means they can record voice chat to catch toxic behavior. While the intent is good (less "brain rot" behavior in the lobby), it means your child's voice is being processed by Sony's servers. Check out our guide on PlayStation privacy settings
Nintendo remains the "safest" by being the most "behind." Because they don't use a lot of built-in camera or high-end voice tech on the console itself, the biometric risk is lower. However, once your kid jumps into a third-party game like Fortnite on the Switch, Nintendo’s rules no longer apply—Epic Games’ rules do.
Privacy isn't a "set it and forget it" thing because as kids get older, they want the features that require more data.
- Ages 6-10: Strict lockdown. At this age, there is zero reason for a game to have your child’s biometric data. Disable "Voice Chat" and "Camera Access" at the system level. Stick to games with high "WISE" scores for privacy like Toca Life World or Sago Mini World.
- Ages 11-13: This is the "transition" zone. They’ll want to use Discord or Roblox voice chat. This is when you talk about "Digital Permanence." Explain that their voice and face are like a fingerprint—they shouldn't give them away just for a cool avatar filter.
- Ages 14+: They are likely managing their own accounts. The focus here is on Third-Party Apps. They might trust YouTube, but do they trust the random "AI Face Swap" app they saw in a TikTok ad? Probably not.
Ask our chatbot for a privacy checklist for your child's specific age
If your house has a Meta Quest or a PlayStation VR2, the privacy conversation just leveled up. VR headsets are essentially biometric harvesting machines. They have to track your head, hands, and sometimes eyes to work.
- Use "Guest Mode": If your kid’s friends are over, don't let them use your child’s profile. This keeps the data "clean."
- Cover the Cameras: When the headset isn't in use, cover the external cameras. It sounds paranoid, but it’s just good "digital hygiene."
- Check the "Store" Permissions: Many VR games ask for permission to access "Spatial Data" (the map of your living room). Ask yourself: Does this Beat Saber clone really need to know the dimensions of my couch?
If you come at your kid with "The FTC is concerned about Microsoft’s data retention policies," their eyes will glaze over faster than a donut in a microwave.
Try this instead: "Hey, you know how Roblox is using those new AI NPCs? They’re cool, but for them to work, the company tries to 'record' how you talk and move. I’m going to turn off the 'biometric' setting for now because your face and voice are yours, and we don't need to give them to a big company just so an avatar can wink when you do."
It’s about ownership, not just safety.
The $20M fine was a win for parents, but 2026 is the year of "Personalized Data." Gaming companies are no longer just selling games; they are selling experiences powered by your child's personal biology.
The new COPPA rules give us the tools to say no, but we have to be the ones to actually go into the settings and click the button.
Next Steps for Intentional Parents:
- Audit the "Big Three": Go into the settings of your Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch and look for "Privacy & Online Safety."
- Delete Old Accounts: If your kid hasn't played Among Us in two years, delete the account. Don't just delete the app—delete the data on their servers.
- Check the "Biometrics" Toggle: In apps like Roblox, ensure "Hardware Camera" and "Microphone" permissions are only "On" when absolutely necessary.
Check out our full guide on setting up the ultimate "Privacy Shield" for your home network
Parenting in 2026 is wild, but you don't have to be a tech genius to protect your kid. You just have to be more intentional than the companies trying to sell them V-Bucks. You've got this.