Roblox is facing a growing number of in the United States related to alleged cases of child sexual abuse within the platform. As the legal proceedings advance, the company is attempting to resolve the cases through arbitration rather than in front of judges or juries.
The controversy arises amid accusations that the company did not adequately protect minors from sexual predators, despite public statements made about the security measures implemented in the service.
Roblox faces a growing number of lawsuits in the United States
Over 150 lawsuits against Roblox for minor protection
According to the information released, more than 150 federal lawsuits have already been filed, while there are other cases open in state courts.
The complaints assert that Roblox did not take sufficient action to protect the children and teenagers using the platform from individuals accused of predatory behavior.
The plaintiffs seek to hold the company legally accountable for these alleged failures in child safety.
More than 150 lawsuits against Roblox for child protection
Roblox's strategy to avoid jury trials
One of the central points of the conflict is that the company is trying to have the cases referred to private arbitration processes.
The terms of use of Roblox state that those who create an account agree to waive the right to initiate lawsuits before a judge or jury in certain disputes subject to arbitration.
Roblox's strategy to avoid jury trials
The company seeks to rely on this clause to prevent the cases from progressing in ordinary courts.
The testimony of one of the complainants
In a report published by Bloomberg, an alleged victim identified as Myra questioned the company's stance.
"They just want everything to stay behind the scenes," she stated. She also claimed that the company does not want the public to know what, in her view, happened within the platform.
The testimony of one of the complainants
Parents and lawyers question private arbitrations
In February, 800 parents sent a letter to the board of Roblox requesting that it stop trying to move these types of lawsuits to confidential processes.
Pat Huyett, a partner at the law firm Anapol Weiss, stated that families seek to have concerns related to child safety addressed openly and not through private mechanisms.
