News Summary
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, claiming the platform is a hotbed for child exploitation. The lawsuit alleges that Roblox has failed to implement adequate safety protocols to protect children, enabling predators to exploit young users. Murrill highlights alarming cases in Louisiana where adults have used technology to pose as minors, further underscoring the platform’s safety issues. Despite some safety measures, concerns persist about the effectiveness of Roblox’s protocols. The lawsuit calls for restitution and accountability from the gaming giant as scrutiny over its safety practices intensifies.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, alleging that the popular gaming platform is a breeding ground for child exploitation. The lawsuit was submitted in state court on Thursday, claiming that Roblox has created an environment where sexual predators can “thrive, unite, hunt and victimize kids.” Murrill argues that the company has failed to implement effective safety measures to protect its child users from potential dangers.
Murrill emphasizes that due to Roblox’s lack of safety protocols, the platform endangers the safety of children in Louisiana. The legal action accuses Roblox of prioritizing user growth and profits over the protection of minors. The lawsuit indicates that various cases have surfaced in Louisiana pointing to the platform’s failings in safeguarding young users, including reports of adults exploiting voice-changing technology to pose as children.
Roblox, which boasts over 111 million monthly users, has a significant proportion of its audience aged between 9 and 16. Described as a “virtual universe that lets you create and share experiences,” the platform has attracted a large following due to its engaging content and social features. However, the gaming environment is not without controversy. The state of Iowa recently filed a separate lawsuit after a 13-year-old girl was kidnapped and trafficked following interactions with an adult predator on Roblox.
The concerns surrounding the platform’s safety have been highlighted by law enforcement, including Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard, who reported multiple cases involving child exploitation tied to Roblox. Reports have revealed disturbing incidents of adults using various tactics, such as voice-altering technology, to deceive young users.
Murrill has expressed her belief that Roblox may need to be shut down entirely if insufficient safety measures are not implemented. Although Roblox has established some protocols, such as prohibiting users from sharing videos or images in chats and attempting to block personal information, these measures have not been foolproof. Users have repeatedly discovered ways to bypass the platform’s safety features.
One critical issue is the absence of a rigorous age verification process when creating accounts. There is currently no minimum age requirement in place, allowing both minors and adults posing as children to easily register. However, Roblox has recently started testing new age verification measures. These could include facial recognition via video selfies for users aged 13 to 17 to improve safety while chatting on the platform.
In addition to these changes, Roblox has announced an initiative to introduce an AI system designed to identify signs of potential child endangerment. Nevertheless, Murrill’s lawsuit asserts that Roblox has allowed the distribution of child sexual abuse material without adequate safety measures or parental warnings, contributing to an environment described as “overrun with harmful content and child predators.”
The lawsuit seeks restitution, damages, and attorney fees, as well as a court order to prevent Roblox from promoting its safety measures as sufficient. Murrill argues that existing efforts to enhance safety have come too late to protect minors adequately. There have been rising concerns regarding the platform after police have reported multiple arrests associated with child exploitation linked to interactions initiated through Roblox.
In defense, Roblox maintains that it is committed to user safety and has allocated substantial resources to ensuring a secure environment for its players. However, with ongoing legal challenges and public concern, the scrutiny of the platform’s safety protocols is expected to continue.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
