Phil Ammann
Attorney General James Uthmeier is issuing a subpoena to Roblox, the massive online platform where users play and create games and socialize.
The order demands information about the San Mateo, California-based company’s marketing practices toward children, age-verification methods and chat room moderation policies.
Uthmeier’s action comes amid growing concerns about the potential exposure of young users to harmful content and interactions with predators on the widely popular platform.
“As a father and Attorney General, children’s safety and protection are a top priority,” Uthmeier said in a statement.
“There are concerning reports that this gaming platform, which is popular among children, is exposing them to harmful content and bad actors. We are issuing a subpoena to Roblox to uncover how this platform is marketing to children and to see what policies they are implementing — if any — to avoid interactions with predators.”
Roblox, which features millions of user-generated games and interactive environments, reported over 85 million daily active users in 2024, including an estimated 40% under age 13.
Reports have surfaced alleging that children using the Roblox platform have encountered graphic or inappropriate material and that adults have been able to contact minors through their communication features.
On April 2, Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman announced the launch of three additional parental controls on its platform, which are designed to enhance family safety.
The new controls will enable parents to limit who their children can connect with, monitor which experiences their children engage with most frequently, and restrict access to specific experiences deemed unsuitable.
The company also highlighted a refreshed Safety Center, which offers updated safety guides, resources, tools and instructions for parents utilizing these features.
The Florida subpoena is specifically demanding that Roblox produce extensive documentation, including:
— Data showing time spent on the platform by users 16 and younger, broken down by age.
— Examples of all marketing materials directed at children or suggesting the platform’s suitability for young users, including details on promotions, influencer marketing and social media campaigns.
— Documents outlining steps Roblox takes to prevent children’s exposure to mature content and moderate chat interactions.
— Records of communications with Florida users reporting abuse and communications with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children related to Florida users.
— Information on age-verification procedures, any audits conducted, and details on how parental controls might be circumvented.
— Details on any known criminal prosecutions arising from contacts made via the platform’s chat features involving children.
— Information regarding the company’s collection and processing of children’s data.
The Attorney General’s Office seeks to thoroughly investigate Roblox’s internal policies and practices to ensure adequate safeguards are in place to protect young Floridians online.
Roblox has not yet issued a public response to the subpoena.
