Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued criminal subpoenas to the popular online gaming platform Roblox, signaling a significant escalation in the scrutiny of the platform’s safety measures for children. The move aims to investigate alleged harm to minors, with critics pointing to a lack of age verification and content moderation.
Key Takeaways
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued criminal subpoenas to Roblox.
- The investigation focuses on concerns about child safety and potential harm to minors on the platform.
- Critics cite a lack of adequate age verification and content moderation on Roblox.
- The subpoenas follow several civil lawsuits filed by families alleging their children were targeted by predators on the platform.
Investigation Into Child Safety
Attorney General Uthmeier stated that platforms like Roblox have become "breeding grounds for predators to gain access to our kids." The criminal subpoenas are intended to provide prosecutors with more information regarding criminal activity on the platform, evidence of predators, and details about victims who have been abused. Uthmeier emphasized the state’s commitment to protecting children and holding companies accountable for exposing them to harm.
Criticisms of Roblox’s Safety Measures
Experts and critics have raised concerns about Roblox’s suitability for children, despite its marketing towards a younger audience. Attorney Charles Gallagher highlighted the absence of robust age verification and parental consent mechanisms on the platform. He noted that it’s unclear how parental permission is confirmed for account creation. Furthermore, concerns have been voiced about the platform’s content moderation, with examples of inappropriate communication between users being cited.
Civil Lawsuits and Predator Concerns
The attorney general’s action follows three civil lawsuits filed in Central Florida. In one case, a family alleges their child was groomed by a predator and coerced into sending sexually explicit content. Attorney Alexandra Walsh, representing one of the families, explained that Roblox allows users to share Discord handles, an encrypted off-site platform, which predators can exploit to communicate with children away from the game’s direct oversight. The lawsuit claims the victim was pressured into sending explicit images in exchange for in-game currency, known as Robux.
Roblox’s Response
Roblox has stated that they cannot comment on claims raised in litigation. However, the company reiterated its vision to be "the safest place on the internet." They mentioned that over 100 safety enhancements have been implemented this year to protect users and provide parents with greater control and visibility, while acknowledging that no system is perfect.
