The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has launched an investigation into Roblox due to concerns regarding the safety of underage users within the European Union. The regulatory body aims to determine whether Roblox is doing enough to protect children, particularly from exposure to inappropriate content and potential threats from malicious actors.
Roblox is a platform that allows users to create games for others to enjoy, but there have been recent reports of sexually explicit games accessible to children, raising alarms. Additionally, there are concerns that the platform may be exploited by individuals seeking to engage with minors. It has also been reported that Roblox employs questionable tactics known as “dark patterns” to encourage users to make additional purchases.
The ACM has received numerous reports regarding these issues and has gathered information from Roblox during a preliminary investigation. This led the regulator to find sufficient grounds to initiate a formal inquiry into potential violations of regulations by Roblox.
The investigation will also focus on whether Roblox adheres to the European Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that online platforms implement appropriate measures to ensure the safety of minors.
In response, Roblox stated that compliance with the DSA is “one of our top priorities” and mentioned its investments in enhanced security measures. A spokesperson highlighted recent implementations, such as age verification checks for users wishing to access the chat feature.
