Roblox Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Child Safety Failures, Shares Drop

Roblox has been sued by Louisiana for alleged child safety failures. The lawsuit claims the platform failed to protect children from online predators and harassment. Roblox shares fell pre-market. The platform allows users to create and play immersive experiences, and has a free toolset for developers to build and operate 3D experiences.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a lawsuit against Roblox Corporation, alleging that the popular online gaming platform has failed to protect children from online predators and harassment. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in Livingston Parish, seeks restitution, civil penalties, and injunctive relief requiring Roblox to implement effective safeguards to protect children [1].

The lawsuit comes amid growing concerns about the safety of children on Roblox, which has over 82 million daily active users. Murrill accused Roblox of prioritizing user growth and revenue over child safety, claiming that the platform lacks meaningful age verification and allows harmful content and predators to thrive [2].

The lawsuit cites a July incident in which a suspect allegedly used Roblox to lure minors, using voice-altering technology to mimic a younger feminine voice. The complaint claims that Roblox's safety protocols are inadequate and that the platform allows sexually explicit games and groups to thrive [1].

Roblox has faced criticism over child safety in the past, but the latest lawsuit comes amid a crackdown on "vigilantes" who try to catch suspected predators. One such figure, a YouTuber known as Schlep, was banned from the platform after receiving a cease-and-desist letter [1].

The lawsuit alleges that Roblox's conduct amounts to deceptive trade practices and negligence under state law, accusing the company of creating an abusive and unsafe environment for children [1]. The suit requests a jury trial.

Roblox has not yet responded to a request for comment about the lawsuit. The company has previously defended its actions, stating that some vigilantes were simulating inappropriate conversations and steering users to other platforms, creating an unsafe environment [1].

The lawsuit is part of a broader trend of legal action against video game companies with children as a primary user base. A class action lawsuit filed in California in May against the companies that own Minecraft and Fortnite claims the two games cause harm and addiction, and that they encourage unchecked in-game purchases and excessive playing time [2].

References:

[1] https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/roblox-child-safety-lawsuit-louisiana-ag-liz-murrill-makes-massive-sexual-predators-claim-amid-vigilante-crackdown-101755204255950.html

[2] https://lailluminator.com/briefs/louisiana-files-lawsuit-against-roblox-calling-it-a-platform-for-sexual-predators/