Warning for mentions of child abuse.
The state of Florida has launched a criminal investigation into Roblox, accusing the company of failing to protect children from inappropriate content and online predators.
By using WTOC from CNN Newsource staffThis week, Florida Attorney General James Utmyer issued a criminal subpoena to Roblox. “Roblox has profited from our children, exposing them to the most dangerous harm possible,” Utmaier said in a video briefing. “They allowed our children to be abused. Companies like Roblox have become breeding grounds for predators to reach and gain access to our children.”
The attorney general added that the criminal subpoenas will allow them to “gather more information for our prosecutors” about the “criminal activity” occurring in Robloxas well as evidence about the “predators that are out there” and the prey.
“At the end of the day, we will stop at nothing to protect our children, and companies that act carelessly and expose them to harm will be held accountable,” the briefing concludes.
Roblox Corp previously responded to the lawsuit by saying that “no system is perfect.”
In August this year The State of Louisiana Sues Roblox Corp. for allegedly promoting and distributing “child sexual abuse material” and facilitating the “sexual exploitation” of minors in Louisiana.
The company was accused of failing to implement “basic safety measures to protect child users,” as well as neglecting to inform users of the dangers they might encounter on the platform. He was also accused of repeatedly reassuring parents that Roblox was a safe place for children, despite failing to take measures that could effectively protect children from “well-documented predatory threats.”
“For many years, Defendant knowingly facilitated and facilitated the systematic sexual exploitation and abuse of children throughout the United States, including in Louisiana,” the lawsuit states. “Through willful neglect and deceptive acts, Defendant has enabled and perpetuated an online environment in which child predators thrive, which directly contributes to the widespread victimization of minor children in Louisiana.” He began by dismissing the idea that it would deliberately put its community at risk, and also acknowledged that “no system is perfect, and attackers will adapt to avoid detection, including attempts to redirect users to other platforms where security standards and moderation practices may differ.”
“Roblox began as a platform for children, and although 64 percent of users are now 13 years and older, the platform has strict safety features built into it,” the post said. response at that time. “This includes strict text chat filters that block profanity and attempt to redirect users under 13 from the platform or request personal information. Additionally, users under 13 cannot directly message other people outside of games or events unless parental controls are set, and direct sharing of images between users is prohibited.”
Last year, Bloomberg published an extensive report it highlighted the supposed “pedophile problem” after speaking with 20 former and current Roblox employees.
Another report published by research firm Hindenburg. said the company lied about players' performance while downplaying alleged child safety concerns. More recently, Roblox sued along with Discord for allegedly allowing sexual abuse of a minor.
The game developer has contacted Roblox Corp for comment.
