A lawsuit has been filed against the popular online gaming platform Roblox, with a Cass County teen alleging the company is a "breeding ground for predators" and enabled her sexual exploitation at the age of 13. This legal action follows claims by multiple state attorneys general that online predators can groom and exploit children on the platform. The teen is seeking a jury trial and monetary damages.
Key Takeaways
- A 19-year-old from Cass County has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, accusing the platform of enabling her exploitation by a sex offender when she was 13.
- The law firm representing the teen reports receiving 1,400 calls from families with similar experiences and is working with 600 of them.
- Roblox states it is "deeply troubled by any incident that endangers our users" and highlights over 100 safety enhancements implemented this year, including stricter chat limitations and filters for personal information.
- The company emphasizes its commitment to being the "safest place on the internet" and is working on industry-wide safety standards, including age verification for communication features.
Allegations Against Roblox
The lawsuit, filed by an unidentified 19-year-old, accuses Roblox of failing to adequately protect its young users. Attorneys for the teen claim the platform has been aware of these issues for years, citing reports dating back to 2012 and 2013. They allege that instead of prioritizing safety, Roblox focused on user growth to inflate its valuation, a strategy described as "shameful."
Roblox’s Response and Safety Measures
Roblox has responded to the allegations, stating that while they cannot comment on specific litigation, their vision is to be the safest online environment. The company detailed numerous safety features, including limited chat for younger users, filters to block personal information sharing, and over 100 safety enhancements introduced this year. Roblox also mentioned its commitment to developing industry-wide safety standards, such as implementing facial age estimation for communication features and participating in initiatives like the Tech Coalition’s Lantern project and Robust Open Online Safety Tools (ROOST).
Broader Concerns and Legal Action
This lawsuit is part of a larger trend of legal scrutiny facing Roblox. Multiple state attorneys general have also raised concerns about the platform’s potential for child exploitation. The law firm handling the Cass County case reports a significant number of inquiries from families experiencing similar issues, indicating a widespread problem that extends beyond a single incident.
