Roblox's problematic moderation: Difference between revisions
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{{Incomplete}}<!-- Message for any fellow editors: I have tried my best to filter this information to be PG-13, however, the information you WILL find regarding Roblox's negligence with their moderation is something that will require taking a break here or there. I personally am desensitized to a lot, but even I have been needing to pause my edits just to recharge. - JamesTDG --> | {{Incomplete}}<!--Message for any fellow editors: I have tried my best to filter this information to be PG-13, however, the information you WILL find regarding Roblox's negligence with their moderation is something that will require taking a break here or there. I personally am desensitized to a lot, but even I have been needing to pause my edits just to recharge. - JamesTDG-->Since [[Roblox]] launched in 2004, its moderation has been problematic for its consumers. From an obscene chat filter that has made communication on the platform difficult,<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Gregheffley95 |date=Feb 26, 2021 |title=Roblox censors almost everything |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/lsxpex/roblox_censors_almost_everything/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619214011/https://old.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/lsxpex/roblox_censors_almost_everything/ |archive-date=Jun 19, 2023 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Mar 7, 2017 |title=Why the hell are numbers censored! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/5y0w3z/why_the_hell_are_numbers_censored/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/Roblox}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=JParty |date=Feb 24, 2017 |title=Updates to Chat Privacy API + New Account Indicators + Changes to Text Filtering APIs |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updates-to-chat-privacy-api-new-account-indicators-changes-to-text-filtering-apis/33867 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=Roblox Dev Forum}}</ref> to the indirect encouragement of illegal behaviors on the platform intended for young audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Jan 9, 2024 |title=this simulator should NOT be on roblox... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMdacOJxmjU |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Apr 14, 2024 |title=Roblox Needs to BAN These Games... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE3FeYfJOhw |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> | ||
==Background== | |||
No online platform is immune to child predators, especially those geared towards extremely young audiences, however, [[Roblox]] has had an extensive history regarding its poor handling of said individuals on the platform. The child predator problem has been exacerbated recently by a decision from the CEO David Baszucki to integrate dating features to the game,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baqery |first=Mohsen |date=Jul 30, 2025 |title=Roblox CEO Has Suggested the Worst Idea Possible |url=https://gamerant.com/roblox-ceo-worst-idea-dating-sim/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=GameRant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Norton |first=Brad |date=Jul 15, 2025 |title=Roblox CEO wants adults to use platform as a dating service |url=https://www.dexerto.com/roblox/roblox-ceo-wants-adults-to-use-platform-as-a-dating-service-3226769/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Dexerto}}</ref> despite at minimum 40% of the game's population being under 13 years old,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Connor |first=Jak |date=Jul 29, 2025 |title=Roblox CEO wants to add an in-game dating feature, despite 40% of players being under 13yrs old |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/106712/roblox-ceo-wants-to-add-an-in-game-dating-feature-despite-40-of-players-being-under-13yrs-old/index.html |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=TweakTown}}</ref> and a further 16% users are between 13 and 16 years old.<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Nicholas |date=Nov 10, 2022 |title=Roblox Dev Arrested for Kidnapping: Who is Arnold Castillo (aka Jadon Shedletsky)? |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/913144-roblox-dev-arrested-developer-who-is-arnold-castillo-jadon-shedletsky |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |work=Game Revolution}}</ref> | |||
== | ==Problematic moderation<!--https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/ Mentions how there are several accounts that use the names of known pedophiles-->== | ||
Beyond a questionable chat filtering system, [[Roblox]] has historically underinvested in adequate moderation for its userbase. The moderation team is excessively small compared to its competitors, a documented 100-200 moderation on-staff compared to [[Fortnite]]'s 1,000+ and [[Minecraft]]'s 500+ members on the moderation staff.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Sep 17, 2024 |title=Why is Roblox moderation so bad? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/why-is-roblox-moderation-so-bad/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=Games Learning Society}}</ref><!--I don't feel so confident about this source, so if we can get something that feels more concrete, I would appreciate it, since this is some vital data.--> Combined with a lack of investment in adequate moderation tools,<ref>{{Cite news |date=Jul 24, 2024 |title=All Roblox Controversies Explained (2024) |url=https://screenrant.com/roblox-controversies-moderation-bad/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |work=ScreenRant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 9, 2024 |title=Roblox VC moderation is terrible |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/comments/1c05qqs/roblox_vc_moderation_is_terrible/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/ROBLOXBans}}</ref> it has become responsible for an excess of younger audiences being harmed on the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dinunzio |first=Caitlin |date=Dec 21, 2021 |title=Roblox Accused Of Being Unsafe For Children In Viral Video |url=https://screenrant.com/roblox-accusations-safety-children-people-make-games/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |work=ScreenRant}}</ref> | |||
Reported by Hindenburg Research, the platform outsources its moderation to call centers within Asia, many of which are paid poorly and often lack the literacy to adequately handle cases,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=Oct 8, 2024 |title=Roblox: Inflated Key Metrics For Wall Street And A Pedophile Hellscape For Kids |url=https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=Hindenburg Research}}</ref> and their systems required multiple offenses to even incite a temporary ban. The former moderator they interviewed cited their poor resources as a key issue as to why he would refuse to let any kids he knew to play the game. | |||
When the platform was investigated by journalists working to uncover how the platform was additionally encouraging the exploitation of underage developers,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=Aug 19, 2021 |title=Investigation: How Roblox Is Exploiting Young Game Developers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gXlauRB1EQ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - People Make Games}}</ref> the company aimed to have the report taken down, thus leading to further research from reporters on ''People Make Games'' regarding further harmful moderation controversies.<ref name=": | When the platform was investigated by journalists working to uncover how the platform was additionally encouraging the exploitation of underage developers,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=Aug 19, 2021 |title=Investigation: How Roblox Is Exploiting Young Game Developers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gXlauRB1EQ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - People Make Games}}</ref> the company aimed to have the report taken down, thus leading to further research from reporters on ''People Make Games'' regarding further harmful moderation controversies.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=Dec 13, 2021 |title=Roblox Pressured Us to Delete Our Video. So We Dug Deeper. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMF6xEiAaY&t=10s |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - People Make Games}}</ref> In the follow-up video, the lead developer of a fan game ''Sonic Eclipse Online'' on the platform by the alias of Doc spread harmful and sexually-charged comments to female developers on his team, and while his primary account was removed from the platform, Roblox's moderation team has refused to handle the alternate account which owns all the games he published to the platform, nor the games held by this alternate account either, meaning he continued to gain revenue from his project while clearly evading his ban.<ref name=":22" /> Soon after the publication of the video, his game would then be taken down via [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA]] from [[SEGA]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 5, 2022 |title=Sega took down Sonic Eclipse Online |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3rmxony0mQ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - BloxEverlasting}}</ref><!--I need a real article, even if I can find tons of amateur channels documenting this--> It was not until mid-2022 that Doc would receive federal charges for abducting a minor through his predatory behavior on the platform,<ref name=":32" /> and finally be entirely removed from said platform. | ||
===Roblox's response=== | ===Roblox's response=== | ||
So far, [[Roblox]] has done the following regarding its child predator problem: | So far, [[Roblox]] has done the following regarding its child predator problem: | ||
*Threatened the content creator Schlep with litigation over vigilantism,<ref name=": | * Threatened the content creator Schlep with litigation over vigilantism,<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Aug 9, 2025 |title=Roblox Is Threatening to Sue Me For Protecting Kids |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMqAw_NjHK8&t |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Huang |first=Marcus |date=Aug 9, 2025 |title=Roblox YouTuber Battles Child Predators {{!}} Accounts Terminated Amid Backlash |url=https://leveluptalk.com/news/roblox-youtuber-fights-child-predators-banned/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Level Up Talk}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Matt |date=Aug 7, 2025 |title=How Roblox Partners With Law Enforcement |url=https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/how-roblox-partners-law-enforcement |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=Roblox Blog}}</ref> despite cited neglect from the moderation by the user.<ref name=":02" /> | ||
*The integration of an open-source AI-powered system (Sentinel) to spy on chats.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ortutay |first=Barbara |date=Aug 7, 2025 |title=Roblox rolls out open-source AI system to protect kids from predators in chats |url=https://apnews.com/article/roblox-grooming-messages-ai-kids-teens-9e9d4131d46b80eead3e57b1110d48eb |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> | * The integration of an open-source AI-powered system (Sentinel) to spy on chats.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ortutay |first=Barbara |date=Aug 7, 2025 |title=Roblox rolls out open-source AI system to protect kids from predators in chats |url=https://apnews.com/article/roblox-grooming-messages-ai-kids-teens-9e9d4131d46b80eead3e57b1110d48eb |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> | ||
*Collaborating with law enforcement according to a blog post.<ref name=": | * Collaborating with law enforcement according to a blog post.<ref name=":12" /> | ||
=== Intentionally covering up the problem === | |||
In a report from Hindenburg Research,<ref name=":32" /> they interviewed a former Senior Product Designer for the platform which directly stated:<blockquote>“You’re supposed to make sure that your users are safe and but then the downside is that, if you’re limiting users’ engagement, it’s hurting your metrics. It’s hurting the [daily] active users, the time spent on the platform, and in a lot of cases, the leadership doesn’t want that.” | |||
“You have to make a make a decision, right? You can keep your players safe, but then it would be less of them on the platform. Or you just let them do what they want to do. And then the numbers all look good and investors will be happy.” | |||
“You maybe see it in the numbers going down or the profits going down. Then whether you like it or not, you kind of just have to reconsider your option[s], because once you’re a public company, you’re answering to all the investors.”</blockquote>This statement in summary represented how the platform intentionally refused to integrate features to protect underage users on the platform, exclusively for the purposes of inflating the game's population to appease the platform's shareholders. | |||
=== "Condo" games === | |||
The platform additionally hosts thousands of "condo" games,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dorn |first=James |date=Jul 24, 2025 |title=What is a Condo Game on Roblox? |url=https://expertbeacon.com/what-is-a-condo-on-roblox/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=Expert Beacon}}</ref> whose existence is for audiences on the platform to simulate sexual activities. Despite these games being directly in-violation of Roblox's policies:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restricted Content Policy |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/15869919570708-Restricted-Content-Policy |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |at=Romantic and Sexual Content}}</ref><blockquote>"Any content which explicitly [depicts] sexual content or nudity is against the rules of Roblox"</blockquote>The platform has been slow to handle these games being frequently uploaded, especially since these games are frequently reuploaded on alternate accounts en-masse.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGuinness |first=Devan |date=Feb 16, 2022 |title=Roblox “Condo” Strip Clubs Still Populating Platform — What to Know |url=https://www.fatherly.com/news/roblox-strip-clubs-problem-safety |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=Fatherly}}</ref> Additionally, the platform has notoriously collaborated with TheOfficialTeddy, known for publishing "condo" games to the platform, even including one of his notorious titles within 2025's The Hatch event, despite his long history of frequent bans from the platform.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Ricablanca |first=Celsos |date=Jul 3, 2025 |title=Why did Roblox ban TheOfficialTeddy? Here’s what we know |url=https://esports.gg/news/roblox/why-did-roblox-ban-theofficialteddy-heres-what-we-know/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=eSports.gg}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 17, 2025 |title=Tweet from RoCatchers |url=https://xcancel.com/RoCatchers/status/1934826134476087759 |url-status=live |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=x (formerly [[Twitter]])}}</ref> The platform reversed Teddy's addition within the event and re-banned the individual only after significant backlash from players and content creators participating in the event.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 30, 2025 |title=Tweet from Roblox |url=https://x.com/Roblox/status/1939844614997033165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1939844614997033165%7Ctwgr%5E78a1e8a53dd64d2c86722a959bc5c71bd6b0f0c5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fesports.gg%2Fnews%2Froblox%2Fwhy-did-roblox-ban-theofficialteddy-heres-what-we-know%2F |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=x (formerly [[Twitter]])}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cripe |first=Michael |date=Jul 3, 2025 |title=Roblox #BoycottTheHatch Controversy Explained |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/roblox-boycottthehatch-controversy-explained |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=[[IGN]]}}</ref> | |||
[[File:AdultRobloxGame.png|alt=A picture of a roblox game, with the name "Escape to Epstein Island"|thumb|An example of one of the mature games on Roblox that can be played by underage accounts.]] | |||
A sibling to the "condo" genre have been titles named after individuals known for sex trafficking, such as Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jeffrey Epstein, these games were able to be easily accessed by underage users.<ref name=":5" /> | |||
Even games which may not be initially intended for mature audiences have been at risk from mature-aged users posting inappropriate content, such as "School Simulator", which failed to censor genitalia, obscene speech, and more,<ref name=":5" /> despite Roblox's claims that it reviews every piece of content uploaded to the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clayton |first=James |last2=Dyer |first2=Jasmin |date=Feb 15, 2022 |title=Roblox: The children's game with a sex problem |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60314572 |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=[[BBC]]}}</ref> | |||
==== CSAM communities ==== | |||
These games additionally have large communities that trade in CSAM, and are directly open for underage players to easily access.<ref name=":5" /> Hindenburg reported that there are at least 38 of these groups which solicit CSAM as of 2024.<ref name=":5" /> One such group evaded moderation for at least 15 years by disguising itself as “''[ Content Deleted 19208 ]''”, with ID info stating that it formed in 2009.<ref name=":5" /> Moderation For Dummies reported the existence of at least 12,400 accounts which dabble in various levels of CSAM on the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Ruben |date=Sep 2, 2024 |title=Tweet from Mod For Dummies |url=https://xcancel.com/ModForDummies/status/1830646065948958861 |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=X (formerly [[Twitter]])}}</ref> | |||
==Lawsuits & legal controversies<!--https://www.anapolweiss.com/blog/roblox-enabled-child-exploitationnow-its-trying-to-dodge-accountability-in-court-we-wont-let-that-happen/ https://www.gamethemedia.com/the-crime-history-of-roblox-->== | ==Lawsuits & legal controversies<!--https://www.anapolweiss.com/blog/roblox-enabled-child-exploitationnow-its-trying-to-dodge-accountability-in-court-we-wont-let-that-happen/ https://www.gamethemedia.com/the-crime-history-of-roblox-->== | ||
{{Incomplete section}} | {{Incomplete section}} | ||
Litigation has been frequent for the platform regarding its neglect to handle child predators for several years now.<!--Trying to get scaffolding done here, first time in a while we got a bunch of litigation for an ongoing problem. Going to take more labor to summarize each case adequately.--> | Litigation has been frequent for the platform regarding its neglect to handle child predators for several years now. The following is a brief list from over 300 unique legal incidents<ref>{{Cite news |last=Musumeci |first=Natalie |date=Aug 13, 2025 |title=Roblox accused of being a 'hunting ground' for child predators as legal firestorm against gaming giant intensifies |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/roblox-online-gaming-giant-child-predator-allegations-lawsuits-2025-8?op=1 |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=Business Insider}}</ref> regarding Roblox's moderation:<!--Trying to get scaffolding done here, first time in a while we got a bunch of litigation for an ongoing problem. Going to take more labor to summarize each case adequately.--> | ||
===Arnold Castillo (Feb - Jul 2022)=== | ===Arnold Castillo (Feb - Jul 2022)=== | ||
In February 2022, the lead game developer for the game ''Sonic Eclipse Online'' on [[Roblox]], Arnold Castillo, used the platform to groom an anonymous minor. Months later in May, he coerced the minor into crossing state lines to his property via the service [[Uber]].<ref name=": | In February 2022, the lead game developer for the game ''Sonic Eclipse Online'' on [[Roblox]], Arnold Castillo, used the platform to groom an anonymous minor. Months later in May, he coerced the minor into crossing state lines to his property via the service [[Uber]].<ref name=":32" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 29, 2022 |title=New Jersey Man Federally Charged with Enticement of a Minor and Interstate Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/new-jersey-man-federally-charged-enticement-minor-and-interstate-transportation-minor |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=DOJ - Southern District of Indiana Attorney's Office}}</ref> Days after the abduction, the individual was detained and put on trial, and received 2 life sentences and $500k in fines. This occurred after Castillo's extensive history of violating the platform's Terms of Service for the purposes of grooming minors. Both his community and staff released 2 documents<ref>{{Cite web |title=The DoctorRofatnik Archives |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IBLEag66elaVPs11PimO2t2M0ikCCb67ti_RNYB0MxQ/edit?tab=t.0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/the-doctor-rofatnik-archives/mode/2up |archive-date=2020-10-26 |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=Google Docs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Response to your claims |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a6NozfqgKOLT1882d9xy1QuJzW0TWJXuorvincSI4z8/edit?tab=t.0 |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=Google Docs}}</ref> covering his harmful behavior on both [[Roblox]] and additionally [[Discord]].<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Ruben |date=Oct 31, 2022 |title=The Roblox Developer Arrested By The FBI |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdDfdlLuAgA |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - Ruben Sim}}</ref> Roblox's moderation refused to directly handle the situation, despite the extensive reports, and his arrest compiled with the charges he faced were only successful due to datamining efforts via vigilantes on the platform.<ref name=":42" /> | ||
===''State v. Darius Matylewich (Sept. 2023)''=== | ===''State v. Darius Matylewich (Sept. 2023)''=== | ||
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===''State v. Franciou Romelus (Apr 2024)''=== | ===''State v. Franciou Romelus (Apr 2024)''=== | ||
Francious Romelus was stalking a 14-year-old girl via [[Roblox]] in 2023, eventually attempting to abduct her on April 12, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arradondo |first=Briona |date=Apr 24, 2024 |title=Man arrested for stalking, attacking 14-year-old girl he met online: TPD |url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/man-arrested-for-stalking-attacking-14-year-old-girl-he-met-online-tpd |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |work=Fox 13 News}}</ref> Romelus was charged with aggravated stalking, transmission of harmful material to a minor, among other charges, and received a 30-year sentence. <!-- https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/64952042744f894966d02a80 | Francious Romelus was stalking a 14-year-old girl via [[Roblox]] in 2023, eventually attempting to abduct her on April 12, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arradondo |first=Briona |date=Apr 24, 2024 |title=Man arrested for stalking, attacking 14-year-old girl he met online: TPD |url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/man-arrested-for-stalking-attacking-14-year-old-girl-he-met-online-tpd |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |work=Fox 13 News}}</ref> Romelus was charged with aggravated stalking, transmission of harmful material to a minor, among other charges, and received a 30-year sentence. <!--https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/64952042744f894966d02a80 | ||
Need to figure out how to properly cite a legal document like this using autocite | Need to figure out how to properly cite a legal document like this using autocite | ||
Found out about the listed charges from here: | Found out about the listed charges from here: | ||
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGWmVi7M1lm/ -->[[Roblox]] moderation again did not prevent, halt, or report the individual to authorities at that time. | https://www.instagram.com/p/DGWmVi7M1lm/-->[[Roblox]] moderation again did not prevent, halt, or report the individual to authorities at that time. | ||
===''U.S. v. Daniel Aravena Oliva'' (Aug 2024)=== | ===''U.S. v. Daniel Aravena Oliva'' (Aug 2024)=== | ||
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===''State v. Matthew Naval'' (Apr-Jun 2025)<!--https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/man-accused-of-kidnapping-taft-girl-charged-with-7-felonies/ https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/elk-grove/missing-kern-county-child-found-elk-grove-suspected-kidnapper/103-53c26187-7d46-4b43-964a-1010c1bf07c5 https://www.yahoo.com/news/10-old-california-girl-made-133027400.html << Most descriptive source thus far https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/national-international/california-man-accused-of-kidnapping-10-year-old-he-met-on-roblox/3807102/-->=== | ===''State v. Matthew Naval'' (Apr-Jun 2025)<!--https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/man-accused-of-kidnapping-taft-girl-charged-with-7-felonies/ https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/elk-grove/missing-kern-county-child-found-elk-grove-suspected-kidnapper/103-53c26187-7d46-4b43-964a-1010c1bf07c5 https://www.yahoo.com/news/10-old-california-girl-made-133027400.html << Most descriptive source thus far https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/national-international/california-man-accused-of-kidnapping-10-year-old-he-met-on-roblox/3807102/-->=== | ||
In 2025, Matthew Naval abducted a 10-year-old girl soon after meeting her on Roblox, with several felony charges. <!-- To be filled in more later, this is a crazy rabbit hole, check sources in above comment if you want to fill it in yourself | In 2025, Matthew Naval abducted a 10-year-old girl soon after meeting her on Roblox, with several felony charges.<!--To be filled in more later, this is a crazy rabbit hole, check sources in above comment if you want to fill it in yourself.--> | ||
===Doe et al v. Roblox Corporation et al (Jul 2025)<!--https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/58931825/Doe_et_al_v_Roblox_Corporation_et_al-->===<!--Due to a lack of news sources covering this lawsuit, I cannot access any of the necessary information regarding this case. The site which mentioned this lawsuit was too brief about it.--> | |||
===Florida Attorney-General Subpoena & Multi-State Scrutiny (July 2025)<!--https://www.gamethemedia.com/the-crime-history-of-roblox Following Naval’s kidnapping and Doe litigation, Florida AG James Uthmeier demanded Roblox hand over data on age-verification, moderation logs and abuse reports , warning of legal action if safety promises prove hollow . Several states now coordinate on social-media harms to minors. Why it matters: Regulatory investigations may impose binding safety mandates faster than courts.-->=== | ===Florida Attorney-General Subpoena & Multi-State Scrutiny (July 2025)<!--https://www.gamethemedia.com/the-crime-history-of-roblox Following Naval’s kidnapping and Doe litigation, Florida AG James Uthmeier demanded Roblox hand over data on age-verification, moderation logs and abuse reports , warning of legal action if safety promises prove hollow . Several states now coordinate on social-media harms to minors. Why it matters: Regulatory investigations may impose binding safety mandates faster than courts.-->=== | ||
==Consumer response== | |||
Users such as Schlep have turned to vigilantism due to the negligence of the platform's own moderation teams.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Feb 7, 2024 |title=I Caught a Roblox PREDATOR in this game... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQMSc-9jGMQ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> In response, [[Roblox]] has issued a cease and desist notice to Schlep,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Schlep on X: "Every account I've ever made on Roblox has been terminated... |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954101415564951680 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":02" /> being condemned by the community and a congressman,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Horetski |first=Dylan |date=Aug 13, 2025 |title=Congressman steps in after Roblox threatens to sue & bans “predator hunter” YouTuber Schlep |url=https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/congressman-steps-in-after-roblox-threatens-to-sue-bans-predator-hunter-youtuber-schlep-3237759/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=Dexerto}}</ref> prompting a hashtag #FreeSchlep,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-11 |title=Schlep on X: "wow its trending again. 3 days in a row now I was lowkey ... |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954982451350008298 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref> notably with support from popular [[Roblox]] Youtuber KreekCraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=KreekCraft on X: "Roblox Schlep situation https://t.co/1WZ92x6Bju" / X |url=https://x.com/KreekCraft/status/1954215182311297365 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-10 |title=Roblox Banned Schlep - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKOYXcYmxow |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Furthermore, [[Roblox]] has publicly outlawed vigilante groups on their platform,<ref name=":12" /> causing vigilante group RoCatchers, a predator-catching group, to disband.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=RoCatchers on X: "We sadly have to disband what we're doing on here. ... |url=https://x.com/RoCatchers/status/1954221211581301201 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref> | |||
The platform's poor moderation choices also led to the formation of the subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/ r/ROBLOXbans], which has extensive posts covering the platform both ignoring mature content and excessively punishing users over minor or absurd infractions. | |||
==Legacy<!-- To be worked on, their negligence has caused legal changes that will harm consumers -->== | ==Legacy<!--To be worked on, their negligence has caused legal changes that will harm consumers-->== | ||
{{Incomplete section}} | {{Incomplete section}} | ||
The negligence shown by Roblox and the platform's moderation has been a key point within various forms of legal legislation to require identification on online services. Most notably the [[Online Safety Act]] within the United Kingdom. | The negligence shown by [[Roblox]] and the platform's moderation has been a key point within various forms of legal legislation to require identification on online services. Most notably the [[Online Safety Act]] within the United Kingdom. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Roblox]] | [[Category:Roblox]] | ||