In Brief:
- Two children’s advocacy groups have filed a complaint with the FTC against Roblox Corporation, alleging safety violations and deceptive practices.
- The complaint claims Roblox exploits children’s vulnerabilities by encouraging excessive spending and failing to protect young users from adult predators.
- The filing is backed by multiple organizations and arrives during a period of heightened legal scrutiny for Roblox.
Advocacy groups raise alarm
Fairplay and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on May 20, 2026, urging an investigation into Roblox Corporation. They allege the company has breached Section 5 of the FTC Act by misleading the public about the safety of its platform.
The complaint centers on two main allegations. It claims Roblox misrepresents the safety of its environment and pressures children into spending money on in-game features, which the groups say exploits their developmental vulnerabilities.
Coalition support
The submission has gained traction, supported by a coalition including the Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Federation of America, and others. Their backing strengthens the case and emphasizes broader concerns over Roblox’s practices.
Central issues outlined
The complaint addresses what the advocacy groups describe as an engagement-maximizing design that extends play sessions for minors. They point to instances, such as a 10-year-old reportedly spending over $7,000 in just two months, bypassing parental controls.
Concerns also arise around Roblox’s real-time text and voice chat features. The groups argue that these tools have been used by predators to contact minors, with inadequate measures taken to prevent such interactions.
Fairplay’s communications director, Ashwin Verghese, stated parents are doing their best to protect their children but face overwhelming challenges given the platform design, which he claims capitalizes on children’s vulnerabilities.
Past regulatory actions
This FTC complaint comes in the wake of the agency’s previous actions against similar cases. In 2025, the FTC settled with Cognosphere, creators of Genshin Impact, for $20 million over deceptive practices in loot boxes. Such precedents fuel the hopes of advocacy groups for a favorable outcome against Roblox.
Roblox counters claims
Roblox has rejected the allegations. A company spokesperson highlighted safety measures, including mandatory age verification for chat features. They argue that minors can only communicate with peers in their age group.
The platform asserts it leads in safety initiatives, such as implementing Facial Age Estimation globally. Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman described ongoing efforts to enhance safety, framing it as an evolving challenge requiring continuous improvement.
However, the age verification system has faced criticism. Reports soon after its rollout revealed the sale of pre-verified accounts on eBay for as little as $4, raising questions about its effectiveness.
Increasing legal scrutiny
The FTC complaint arrives as Roblox contends with over 140 consolidated lawsuits claiming it facilitates child exploitation. These legal challenges assert that Roblox was designed to attract minors and enable adult predation.
Multiple state attorney generals have also initiated lawsuits, underscoring the growing scrutiny of online platforms that engage younger audiences. Legal actions reflect a shift toward examining the design and marketing practices of such platforms.
Background on Roblox
Founded in 2004 and publicly listed in 2021, Roblox functions as a UGC-heavy platform allowing users to create and share experiences. Figures suggest more than 30 million daily users are children under 13, with over 50% of users under 17, prompting concern among regulators and advocacy groups.
The platform’s economic model relies on Robux, its virtual currency, purchased with real money for in-game content.
In response to scrutiny, Roblox has enhanced safety measures, including tighter parental controls, expanded moderation tools, and limited chat access for unverified accounts. It has positioned itself as an industry leader in safeguards against harmful content.
FTC’s next steps
The FTC is not compelled to investigate all complaints it receives. Should it decide to pursue this one, it marks the most significant regulatory inquiry into Roblox’s practices to date. Past Section 5 actions often culminate in lengthy processes, typically resulting in settlements rather than litigation.
Roblox faces immediate reputational stakes, as trust is essential for its user base. With over 140 lawsuits and intensified regulatory attention, the company has a narrative to manage carefully as it navigates these challenges.
