Overview
- David Baszucki described predators on Roblox as “an opportunity” during a tense New York Times Hard Fork interview that drew widespread criticism.
- He also called a gambling-like prediction feature “a brilliant idea” if designed legally and in an educational way, reinforcing concerns about youth exposure to betting mechanics.
- Roblox says users will need to pass facial age estimation via a video selfie to access chat, expanding age checks beyond prior limited tests to separate minors from adults.
- State actions mounted this year include lawsuits from Texas, Louisiana, and Kentucky, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accusing Roblox of deceiving parents; reporting also cites a Florida criminal probe.
- Roblox has pushed back on allegations as sensationalized and says safety is a top priority, while critics such as a YouTuber who claims his predator exposés led to arrests allege the company retaliated against him.