LA County lawsuit accuses Roblox of exposing children to 'grooming and exploitation'

Source: Engadget

Background

Los Angeles County has sued Roblox for “unfair and deceptive business practices,” alleging that the platform’s moderation and age‑verification systems are inadequate. The complaint states that Roblox portrays its platform as a safe and appropriate place for children, but “the design of its platform makes children easy prey for pedophiles.”

County’s Allegations

• Roblox has failed to implement adequate safety features to prevent child endangerment.
• The platform has not effectively moderated game content or enforced age‑appropriate restrictions and warnings established by creators, allowing predatory and inappropriate language and interactions to persist.
• Roblox did not disclose dangers to children, including sexual content and the risk of predators.

Roblox’s Response

Roblox rejected the allegations, emphasizing its focus on safety:

“We have advanced safeguards that monitor our platform for harmful content and communications, and users cannot send or receive images via chat, avoiding one of the most prevalent opportunities for misuse seen elsewhere online.”

The statement was provided to AFP.

Other Lawsuits

The Los Angeles County complaint follows similar actions in other U.S. states, including Florida, Texas, and Kentucky.

• The Louisiana Attorney General also accused Roblox of a “lack of safety protocols” that prioritize growth, revenue, and profits over child safety.
• That lawsuit cited a case where a subject used voice‑altering technology to mimic a younger feminine voice, luring and sexually exploiting young players.

Roblox’s User Base and Recent Measures

• Approximately 144 million daily active users worldwide, with over 40 percent under the age of 13.
• In 2024, Roblox banned players under 13 from accessing certain in‑game content and restricted their ability to message other players outside specific games.
• In 2023, the company began requiring tens of millions of children to verify their age with a selfie.

Source

This article originally appeared on Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/gaming/la-county-lawsuit-accuses-roblox-of-exposing-children-to-grooming-and-exploitation-124523028.html?src=rss