SEC Confirms Ongoing Investigation into Roblox: A Deep Dive into the Details
By Roblox is currently part of a lively inquiry being carried out by U.S. regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
According to Bloomberg, the SEC has affirmed that Roblox is involved in an “active and ongoing investigation” but declined to provide further details.
In response to a Freedom of Information Act inquiry, the SEC stated that releasing additional information could potentially “harm the ongoing enforcement proceeding.”
Bloomberg has been unable to uncover more details regarding the investigation. Roblox’s parent company, Roblox Corp, has yet to respond to Bloomberg’s request for comment, and the SEC has chosen not to provide further context.
Roblox and child protection controversy
Roblox is no stranger to media attention. The platform, which allows users to create and engage in gaming experiences, has faced significant criticism for what some perceive as inadequate child protection measures.
In November 2024, Roblox Corp introduced new safety features designed to safeguard young players. Prior to that, Bloomberg reported that employees at the company expressed concerns that it was not taking sufficient measures to combat predatory behavior targeting minors.
A group of current and former Roblox staff members told Bloomberg that identifying predators had become a “Sisyphean task.”
At that time, Roblox Corp informed Game Developer that it “protects users of all ages on the platform” and asserted that Bloomberg’s report contained “glaring mischaracterizations.”
However, Bloomberg wasn’t alone in raising these issues. In October 2024, Hindenburg Research claimed Roblox Corp had misrepresented user metrics and downplayed the prevalence of predators on its platform.
“The company has reduced moderation expenses in an effort to satisfy Wall Street, while jeopardizing children with a platform that exposes them to harmful content and enables widespread pedophilia,” the report stated.
Once again, Roblox Corp denied these accusations and claimed that Hindenburg’s report was erroneous.
Game Developer has reached out to Roblox Corp for a statement.
About the Author
News Editor, GameDeveloper.com
Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over ten years of experience in the gaming industry. His byline has appeared in prominent print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, Global Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events such as GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has participated as a judge at The Develop Star Awards multiple times and has appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.