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Texas has initiated legal action against the popular online gaming platform Roblox, with Attorney General Ken Paxton accusing the company of prioritizing profits over the safety of its young user base. The lawsuit, filed on November 6, alleges that Roblox violated the state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act by misleading parents about the platform's safety and failing to adequately protect children from predators and inappropriate content.
At the heart of the lawsuit are claims that Roblox profits from a business model that overlooks significant risks. According to the Attorney General's office, the platform has become a space where predators can operate, exposing children to harmful content, including simulated sexual acts and extremist ideologies. The legal filing accuses Roblox of putting "pixel pedophiles and profits" ahead of the well-being of its users, a significant portion of whom are under the age of 13.
In response, Roblox has vehemently denied the allegations. A company spokesperson described the claims in the lawsuit as "sensationalized" and lacking merit. Roblox detailed its significant safety investments, stating that it has a zero-tolerance policy for grooming and sexual abuse and employs thousands of moderators. The company highlighted that it had introduced over 145 safety features in the past year alone to create a secure environment for its millions of daily users.
The legal pressure on Roblox is not limited to Texas. Kentucky's Attorney General, Russell Coleman, filed a similar lawsuit, labeling the platform the "website of choice for child predators." This mounting legal scrutiny from multiple states suggests a coordinated effort by state authorities to hold the gaming giant accountable for its content moderation policies and the real-world harm that can result from online interactions. The outcome of these cases could set a significant precedent for how user-generated content platforms are regulated, particularly those catering to children.
