Roblox Hit with Lawsuit Over Alleged Lack of Child Safety Measures
A new civil lawsuit has been filed against the popular online gaming platform Roblox by a group of concerned parents, claiming the company has failed to implement adequate child safety measures. The lawsuit, lodged in the San Diego Superior Court, alleges significant monetary losses and potential harm to minors due to these purported oversights.
The legal complaint argues that Roblox's platform violates several Californian laws, including the Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, Consumer Legal Remedies Act, and State Consumer Protection Acts. Central to the parents' grievances is the accusation that Roblox's systems make it challenging for them to monitor their children's spending, leading to thousands of dollars in unregulated expenses.
Furthermore, the lawsuit highlights concerns about the exposure of children to adult content and the risk of grooming due to what it describes as "lax protocols" on the platform. The plaintiffs assert that the platform's failure to clearly disclose the real cost of in-app purchases, coupled with misleading representations about product safety, renders these purchases as either worthless or less valuable than expected.
Originally filed in August, the lawsuit has been amended to include additional plaintiffs, intensifying the legal pressure on Roblox. This case adds to the mounting legal challenges for Roblox, following another class-action lawsuit that accused the company of creating "an illegal gambling ecosystem."
This development raises significant concerns about child safety in online gaming environments, spotlighting the responsibilities of digital platforms to protect their younger user base. As the case progresses, it is expected to bring more attention to the practices of online gaming companies regarding child safety and consumer transparency.
Source: Games Industry.biz