Texas sues Roblox over operating “as a digital playground for predators”


Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the online gaming platform Roblox, accusing it of putting children in danger and ignoring online safety laws.

Paxton announced the lawsuit on November 6th on X, sharing that he is “suing Roblox for putting pixel pedophiles and profits over the safety of Texas children.”

“We cannot allow platforms like Roblox to continue operating as digital playgrounds for predators where the well-being of our kids is sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed,” Paxton added.

ADVERTISEMENT

The lawsuit details that Roblox has become a “breeding ground for predators,” exposing children to a variety of online harms, including “sexually explicit content, exploitation, and grooming.”

It explains that children are approached by predators while playing a game and are then groomed in personal chats, with the abuser eventually trying to harm them online or in person. In addition, predators can lure children with promises of online currency “Robux”, which can be very addictive.

jurgita justinasv Izabelė Pukėnaitė vilius Ernestas Naprys Gintaras Radauskas
Don't miss our latest stories on Google News

The lawsuit also mentions the activities of the “764” threat group, which exploits children and shares pornography. It claims that instead of acting, Roblox has “deceptively” advertised its platform as safe for children.

Paxton has previously pursued a similar lawsuit against TikTok, claiming that the platform violates the Texas state law by sharing children’s sensitive personal information without parental consent.

Roblox has been hit with multiple other US state lawsuits over the course of the last few months. It was sued by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill over a "lack of safety protocols" that "endangers the safety of the children of Louisiana”, as well as by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman over exposing children to violent or sexual situations on the platform.

Roblox told CBS News that the lawsuit was based on "sensationalized, outdated and out-of-context information."

ADVERTISEMENT

"At this time, we have had no contact from the Attorney General's office regarding our platform or safety features, but we welcome a direct conversation with the AG's office and all policymakers to ensure they have a clear understanding of all Roblox is doing to keep users safe," Roblox said in its emailed statement. "Keeping kids safe online requires a collaborative industry-wide effort, which we welcome."