Roblox has been criticized after a YouTuber was 'banned for exposing predators' on the app.
Roblox is an online gaming platform that allows users to create their own games and experiences.
Recently, the app has experienced huge amounts of backlash after a YouTuber known for exposing child predators was sent a cease and desist letter.
The 22-year-old YouTuber, known as Schlep, shared the letter on X, explaining that his investigative work had resulted in six confirmed arrests of alleged child predators operating on the gaming platform.
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Schlep himself is a survivor of childhood abuse.
According to the Associated Press, between the ages of 12 and 15, Schlep alleges he was groomed by a Roblox developer who sent him graphic content, pornography and engaged in sexual conversations.
“When my client attempted suicide and was hospitalized, his mother contacted Roblox seeking help,” said Martin D. Gould of Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley (SGGH) - one of the law firms representing Schlep.
“Roblox was unresponsive until she threatened legal action. Only then did they engage — and only to claim the abuse happened ‘on another platform,’ despite the predator being a contracted Roblox developer who the company promoted at events.”
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Following Schlep's exposé of several alleged predators, Roblox issued a legal complaint and reportedly banned him from the platform.
They then allegedly threatened to take legal action if he continued his investigations or tried to access the platform.
Schlep claims that Roblox CEO David Baszucki also blocked him on social media.
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“Instead of thanking someone who was protecting children and working with law enforcement, Roblox is trying to silence him with the same legal intimidation tactics they’ve used before,” said SGGH Partner Steven Vanderporten.
“This pattern suggests a company more concerned with suppressing criticism than addressing the predator problem on their platform.”
A #FreeSchlep movement has now begun on social media, with users campaigning in solidarity with Schlep.
One major Roblox influencer has also quit working with the company in protest.
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This week, a heartbroken mother has revealed how her 11-year-old daughter was groomed and raped by a man she had met on Roblox.
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In 2022, after posing as a 15-year-old, the predator traveled to Florida, where he sexually assaulted the young girl.
A section of the lawsuit seen by the US Sun explains: "Eventually gaining her trust, the predator escalated his manipulations and encouraged Jane Doe R.M. to meet in-person.
"Traveling from Orlando to Sebring, FL, in April 2022, the predator drove to Jane Doe R.M.'s grandfather’s house and lured her into his vehicle.
"The two drove to a nearby neighborhood where he violently raped and forced her to orally copulate him, causing inconceivable trauma, harm and devastation. The predator was subsequently convicted of his violent crimes."
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Roblox has stressed that it is 'constantly innovating safety tools' and is testing a new age verification feature.
In a statement on the Roblox website, the company provided information about why they had removed 'vigilante accounts'.
An excerpt reads: "We have been monitoring vigilante activity on Roblox for some time. These groups began by reporting safety concerns, commenting on news about Roblox, and challenging us to do better. We appreciated this feedback and used these reports to improve our safety systems. More recently, vigilante activity evolved. Instead of just reporting on safety issues, vigilantes started impersonating children and actively sought to connect with adult users. Those conversations mimicked inappropriate behavior and actively encouraged other users to connect on other social media and messaging platforms—thus bypassing Roblox’s own safety systems.
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"These were not one-off situations and we saw the behavior accelerating across many accounts. This activity created an unsafe environment and normalized behavior that is both unacceptable on Roblox and is against our Terms of Use. Our policies prohibit directing other users off Roblox to another platform through chat and having/simulating sexually explicit conversations. These are serious policy violations that risk removal from the platform."
You can read the full statement here.
UNILAD has also reached out to Schlep's lawyers for comment.
Lucy Devine