SouthernWorldwide.com – Oklahoma has become the latest state to file a lawsuit against the popular gaming platform Roblox, citing concerns over child safety.
The lawsuit was announced on Thursday, with Oklahoma’s Attorney General Gentner Drummond stating that Roblox marketed itself as a safe environment for children. However, he alleged that the company “turned a blind eye as predators targeted and exploited minors on its platform.”
The legal filing, which spans 51 pages and was submitted to the Cleveland County District Court, claims that Roblox neglected to implement essential safety controls. The suit asserts that the company prioritized user growth over the safety of its young users.
It further alleges that the platform “facilitated the systemic sexual exploitation and abuse of children across Oklahoma and elsewhere in the United States.” The design of the platform, according to the lawsuit, prevents parents from being fully aware of their children’s activities.
This lack of parental oversight, the suit contends, leads to children being exposed to “dangerous adults” and encountering situations involving violence and sexual content.
The lawsuit references a specific incident from September, where an Oklahoma mother filed a suit against Roblox. Her then-12-year-old daughter was reportedly coerced into sending explicit photos and videos to a man in his forties who was posing as a teenager on the platform.
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This action by Oklahoma follows a trend of similar lawsuits filed across the country over the past year. These suits generally allege that Roblox provides an online environment conducive to child exploitation.
A previous investigation by CBS News uncovered at least a dozen instances of hate speech on Roblox, targeting minority groups. The investigation also found dozens of swastikas within a single game, where users were reportedly able to bypass safety moderation systems.
Oklahoma’s lawsuit claims that Roblox violated the state’s Consumer Protection Act. The core of this allegation is that Roblox made misrepresentations to consumers by failing to disclose the “true nature of the risks of harm posed to children.”
The state is seeking civil penalties for each violation of the act. Additionally, Oklahoma is requesting permanent injunctions to prohibit deceptive practices and to mandate the implementation of “meaningful and lasting” safeguards.
Roblox boasts a large user base, with over 150 million active daily users, according to the company’s own metrics. The Oklahoma lawsuit also states that as many as two-thirds of U.S. children between the ages of 9 and 12 have accounts on the platform.
On its website, Roblox asserts that it employs “rigorous build-in protections and tools.” The company also highlights its partnerships with child safety experts. Last month, Roblox announced plans to launch expanded parental controls for users under 16, scheduled for June.
In a statement provided to CBS News, Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman addressed the lawsuit. He emphasized that the company has developed a multilayered safety system designed to protect users.
This system, Kaufman explained, utilizes AI-powered detection, human moderation, and filters specifically designed to prevent the exchange of personal information. He acknowledged Attorney General Drummond’s commitment to child online safety.
“With that said, we are disappointed that he has filed a lawsuit that both fundamentally misrepresents how Roblox works and fails to take into account the extensive, industry-leading proactive measures the company is taking to set a new standard in online safety,” Kaufman stated.
Roblox also pointed out that it is the first online gaming platform to require age verification for all users accessing chat features. The company further noted that it prohibits the exchange of images or videos within its chat functions.
Kaufman added that Roblox collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies when violations are identified. While acknowledging that “no system can be perfect,” he assured that the company is continuously working to strengthen user protections.
“We look forward to working constructively with Attorney General Drummond to help keep kids safe online,” he concluded.
Oklahoma is not the first state to take legal action against Roblox. At least a dozen states, including Oklahoma, have filed lawsuits against the platform. Furthermore, at least three of these states have reportedly reached settlements with Roblox.
