Roblox sued by Los Angeles over claims platform ‘makes children easy prey for pedophiles’ | Roblox

Officials in Los Angeles have mentioned they’re suing Roblox, alleging the favored on-line platform exposes youngsters to sexual content material, exploitation and on-line predators.

In a lawsuit, Los Angeles County mentioned the corporate doesn’t perform ample moderation and its age-verification methods should not match for goal.

“Roblox portrays its platform as a safe and appropriate place for children to play,” reads the grievance, from the LA County Counsel’s workplace for public nuisance and violations of California’s false promoting regulation. “In reality, and as Roblox well knows, the design of its platform makes children easy prey for pedophiles.”

The swimsuit in opposition to Roblox, which contests the claims, is the newest effort to carry a web based agency to account for alleged exploitative practices.

It comes as a trial unfolds within the US’s second largest metropolis by which social media giants, together with Facebook, are being sued over claims their addictive algorithms goal younger youngsters.

“This lawsuit is about protecting children from online predators and inappropriate content,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors chair Hilda Solis mentioned.

“Roblox has a responsibility to keep kids safe but instead it has allowed its platform to become a place where children can be exposed to grooming and exploitation.”

Roblox says it has about 144 million lively customers daily around the globe, with greater than 40% of them below 13 years previous.

Users create, share and play numerous video games and different experiences, chatting to one another and utilizing customisable avatars.

While it’s free to make use of, gamers can buy a digital foreign money that enables them to purchase particular upgrades.

The agency has lengthy confronted accusations that it isn’t doing sufficient to guard youngsters from violent and sexual content material.

A 2024 report by Hindenburg Research described it as an “X-rated pedophile hellscape” that uncovered youngsters to grooming and pornography.

This month Australia’s authorities mentioned it was looking for an pressing assembly with the corporate about youngster security.

The lawsuit filed on Thursday alleges Roblox has didn’t adequately average user-generated content material, implement age restrictions or disclose the extent of inappropriate materials and dangers posed by sexual predators on the platform.

“This is not about a minor lapse in safety. It is about a company that gives pedophiles powerful tools to prey on innocent and unsuspecting children,” Los Angeles County lawyer Dawyn R Harrison mentioned.

“The trauma that results is horrific, from grooming to exploitation to actual assault. This needs to stop.”

In a press release to AFP, Roblox rejected the allegations within the swimsuit, insisting the platform was constructed “with safety at its core.”

“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,” a spokesman mentioned.

The firm mentioned it takes swift motion in opposition to folks discovered violating its guidelines and works with regulation enforcement to carry them accountable.

“There is no finish line when it comes to protecting kids and, while no system can be perfect, our commitment to safety never ends.”