Australia's safety regulator has identified fresh child safety lapses on Roblox, including adults still able to contact children directly. The company has committed to making changes following the investigation.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) conducted an investigation into Roblox and uncovered multiple child safety concerns on the platform, which has over 200 million monthly active users globally.
The regulator found that adults can still contact children through the platform's messaging system despite Roblox previously committing to restricting such contact. This marks a continuation of long-standing safety issues the company has faced.
ACMA's findings represent the latest in a series of child safety concerns raised about Roblox. The platform has faced criticism from regulators, child safety advocates, and parents over inadequate protections for minors, including exposure to inappropriate content and interactions with adults.
In response, Roblox stated it will implement changes to address the regulator's concerns. The company said it is committed to improving its safety features and parental controls. Specific details about the timeline and scope of these changes were not immediately provided.
The investigation adds pressure on Roblox as it operates in a heavily regulated environment. The platform generates significant revenue from in-game purchases, and child users represent a substantial portion of its user base. Safety failures could impact its reputation and regulatory standing, particularly in markets like Australia where authorities actively monitor tech platforms.
Roblox has previously updated its safety measures, including implementing chat filters and age-appropriate content restrictions. However, the ACMA findings suggest these measures remain insufficient.
The regulator's action reflects growing global scrutiny of social platforms and gaming services used by children. Regulators in multiple jurisdictions have increased oversight of how companies protect minors from predatory behavior and inappropriate content.
Roblox's pledge comes as the company continues to expand globally while managing increased regulatory expectations around child safety. The outcome of Australia's investigation may influence how other regulators assess the platform's compliance with child protection standards.
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