KEY POINTS
- Dutch regulators are assessing whether Roblox meets child safety obligations under the Digital Services Act.
- Roblox says it plans facial recognition age verification to limit adult child interactions.
- The platform is also expanding into entertainment with a planned “Steal a Brainrot” movie.
Dutch authorities are investigating Roblox under the EU Digital Services Act while the US based gaming platform moves ahead with a Hollywood film adaptation, placing renewed focus on child safety, regulation and the company’s growing cultural reach.
The Netherlands’ consumer protection authority announced the probe January thirty. The investigation by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, known as ACM, comes as European regulators increase scrutiny of large online platforms used by minors.
At the same time, Roblox is pushing deeper into mainstream entertainment, highlighting the tension between rapid growth and regulatory responsibility.
Roblox operates a user generated gaming ecosystem with a large base of underage players.
The EU Digital Services Act requires platforms to mitigate systemic risks, including harm to minors. ACM said it is examining whether Roblox’s design and safeguards sufficiently protect children.
The probe follows years of criticism in Europe and the United States over alleged exposure of minors to inappropriate content and predatory behavior.
“The Digital Services Act shifts responsibility onto platforms to prove they are safe by design, especially for children,” said Alexandre de Streel, professor of European law at the University of Namur and academic director at the Centre on Regulation in Europe.
He said enforcement actions signal that regulators are moving from guidance to accountability.
Roblox said it is committed to compliance. “We are dedicated to meeting the requirements of the Digital Services Act and continuously improving safety,” a company spokesperson said, citing planned facial recognition age checks announced in November.
Sarah Montgomery, former policy adviser at the UK Office of Communications, said age verification tools can help but raise privacy concerns. “Regulators will look closely at proportionality, data protection and whether safeguards actually reduce harm,” she said.
| Metric | Earlier Period | Latest Reported |
|---|---|---|
| Total Roblox visits | Not disclosed | 56.6 Billion |
| Peak concurrent users | 20 Million | 25.8 Million |
| Launch of “Steal a Brainrot” | May 2025 | Ongoing |
In the United States, Roblox faces multiple lawsuits alleging failures to protect minors. “Litigation pressure and regulatory oversight are converging,” said Mary Anne Franks, president of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative and a law professor at George Washington University.
“Companies with large child audiences are entering a new compliance era.” Meanwhile, Story Kitchen co-founder Dmitri M. Johnson said the planned film adaptation aims to reflect the game’s culture.
“We’re thrilled to bring STEAL A BRAINROT to the big screen,” Johnson said in a joint statement with Michael Lawrence Goldberg.
ACM has not set a public timeline for concluding its Roblox Digital Services Act investigation. Potential outcomes range from compliance commitments to financial penalties.
Separately, the “Steal a Brainrot” movie remains in early development with no announced release date or cast.
As regulators assess Roblox’s child safety practices under the Digital Services Act, the company’s expansion into film underscores its global influence.
The parallel developments highlight how platforms popular with minors are being judged both on cultural impact and on their ability to meet stricter safety expectations worldwide.
Author’s perspective
In my analysis, Roblox’s scrutiny under the EU Digital Services Act signals a broader regulatory tightening on platforms catering to minors, reflecting rising global demands for child safe digital ecosystems.
I predict that mandatory age verification and AI-driven moderation will become standard across all major gaming platforms in Europe, reshaping compliance benchmarks.
For parents and small developers, this underscores the need to prioritize safety by design. Monitor regulatory filings and incorporate privacy first age verification to stay ahead.
NOTE! This article was generated with the support of AI and compiled by professionals from multiple reliable sources, including official statements, press releases, and verified media coverage. For more information, please see our T&C.
