Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has initiated an investigation into the children's gaming platform Roblox, questioning the company's compliance with state consumer protection laws and its efforts to shield children from potential harm. This probe is being conducted under the state's Fair Business Practices Act, which targets deceptive practices that jeopardize consumer safety. Carr has voiced concern over numerous nationwide incidents wherein children reportedly faced abuse and sexual exploitation by adults using the platform.
"Predators are using online platforms like Roblox to go after our children, and we're fighting back," Carr said in a statement obtained by WRDW. "As a father and attorney general, keeping kids safe will always be my top priority, and any company that exposes them to harm will be held accountable." Roblox has responded to the scrutiny, detailing enhancements to their safety protocols, including a facial age check via a third-party provider and age-based chat groupings.
The investigation has been precipitated by several alarming cases, one of which involved two Florida girls who communicated with a nineteen-year-old predator through the gaming app before they were found by the Georgia State Patrol. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) has been issued, compelling Roblox to produce documents relating to its age verification processes, parental controls efficacy, and internal moderation capacities.
In a defensive move, Roblox stated, "We share Attorney General Carr’s commitment to helping keep children safe online. As a platform built with a young audience in mind, Roblox has a history of pioneering industry-leading safeguards designed to monitor for harmful content and proactively block the exchange of images and personal information in chat," Matt Kaufman, chief safety officer for Roblox, told WRDW. Roblox also maintains a 24/7 law enforcement portal to assist with the investigation and resolution of safety concerns.
This recent inquiry falls within a broader ambit of digital safety initiatives previously launched by Carr's office, which includes a conviction in a child trafficking case and advocacy for the Kids Online Safety Act. Similarly, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson initiated an investigative demand against Roblox Corp in December, citing a commitment to child safety and the upholding of consumer trust under South Carolina's Unfair Trade Practices Act.
