- The US Senate is investigating Roblox for alleged cases of child exploitation, with more than 65.000 complaints in 2025.
- Australia orders Roblox to strengthen privacy and parental controls within three months.
- The platform accepts external audits and changes to its age verification systems.
- Both regulatory fronts demand transparency and concrete measures to protect minors.
Roblox has become one of the most popular video games among children and teenagers worldwide, but its success has also raised serious concerns about the safety of young users. In recent weeks, both the United States and Australia have focused on the platform due to alleged deficiencies in child protection, leading to formal investigations and the imposition of corrective measures.
Regulatory pressure is nothing new, but it has now reached a critical point. While the US Senate has opened an investigation into the risks of exploitation and abuse on the platform, the Australian online safety regulator has given Roblox an ultimatum to modify its privacy systems and parental controls . Both actions share the same diagnosis: the company is not doing enough to protect minors who use its service.
US Senate investigation
The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, led by Senators Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin, has sent a letter to Roblox CEO David Baszucki expressing concern over what they consider an excessive prioritization of revenue over child safety. According to data cited by the lawmakers, 65.391 suspected cases of child exploitation linked to the platform were reported in 2025, more than double the number from the previous year. The letter mentions serious cases of sexual abuse, kidnapping, and even murder that allegedly began with contacts made through Roblox.
Senators have demanded that Baszucki provide detailed documentation on how the platform protects minors from physical and sexual abuse, bullying, and financial exploitation and scams on Roblox . They have also given him until August 31 to respond to the congressional requests. In its response, Roblox asserted that safety is its foundation and that it looks forward to sharing the facts about how it protects children. However, the political pressure is high, and it is possible that executives will have to appear before the Senate.
Measures imposed by Australia
On the other side of the world, Australia's Online Safety Commission (eSafety) has taken a more decisive step. Following an investigation that revealed adults could contact minors without parental consent and access personal information such as friend lists, biographies, and avatars, the regulator has forced Roblox to implement drastic changes within three months. Minors' accounts must be private by default , and adults will be prohibited from sending friend requests to unknown children without parental authorization.
Furthermore, Roblox will have to improve its reporting mechanisms and undergo an independent audit to assess the effectiveness of its facial recognition age verification tools . The company had already introduced a facial and ID scanning system by the end of 2025, but minors managed to falsify it, demonstrating that verification alone is insufficient if profiles remain public by default. If Roblox fails to meet this commitment, eSafety can take legal action in the Australian Federal Court to enforce compliance.
Australia has become a global leader in regulating digital platforms for minors. According to data from eSafety, some 1,7 million Australian children use Roblox , making it one of the most popular games in the country. Regulatory pressure is not limited to Roblox; it has also extended to other titles such as Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam, which have been asked to be more transparent about their child protection measures.
Roblox's situation reflects a broader dilemma: how to balance innovation and entertainment with the safety of the most vulnerable users. Authorities in both countries agree that child protection cannot be an option, but rather an obligation. Meanwhile, the company will have to demonstrate that its changes are not merely cosmetic, but truly guarantee a safe environment for minors.
In short, Roblox faces unprecedented scrutiny from US and Australian regulators. The demands range from transparency in data management to the implementation of stricter parental controls. The company's response will be key in determining whether it can maintain its popularity without putting the children who use it daily at risk.
