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15h ago

Louisiana Files Suit Accusing Roblox of Enabling Child Exploitation

It demands court-ordered safety reforms under state consumer protection laws in response to a steep share decline following bans of community predator-hunters.

Roblox claims to improve its moderation systems but faces criticism for inadequacies, including its crackdown on players posing as children to expose predators. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
POLAND - 2023/11/09: In this photo illustration a Roblox logo is displayed on a smartphone with stock market percentages on a laptop. (Photo Illustration by Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Roblox found itself in hot water when Schlep, who was working on delivering ‘vigilante justice’ found himself banned due to his actions.
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Overview

  • The 39-page complaint filed in Livingston Parish accuses Roblox of violating Louisiana’s Unfair Trade Practices Act, negligence/public nuisance and unjust enrichment by facilitating child sexual abuse material and predatory grooming.
  • Roblox denies intentional wrongdoing, highlighting more than 40 new safety measures such as age-estimation selfies, AI detection of endangerment and stricter defaults for users under 13.
  • The platform’s ban of YouTuber “Schlep” and other self-styled predator-hunters sparked petitions for CEO David Baszucki’s removal and drew “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen into an announced investigation with Schlep.
  • Roblox’s share price plunged nearly 9% after news of the lawsuit and community backlash, signaling investor anxiety over potential penalties and reputational harm.
  • Murrill seeks injunctions, civil penalties, restitution and structural changes as private lawsuits and federal probes add to mounting regulatory pressure on the company.