Online Safety
Ongoing coverage on Online Safety.
Latest coverage
Report: Steam now requires Australian users to verify their age with credit cards
Steam has reportedly begun requiring Australian users to verify their age using a credit card to access games classified as R18+. This new policy, implemented by Valve, stems from Australia's online safety codes and has drawn criticism for its reliance on credit cards, excluding users who primarily use debit cards or other payment methods.
Why the world needs a Club Penguin successor – that isn't Roblox
Stephen MacDonald, a former senior manager at Disney for Club Penguin, discusses the need for a safe, successor virtual world for children, arguing that Roblox does not adequately protect its young users. He has founded Magic Potion Games to develop Imagine Island, a new game focused on robust moderation and child safety, aiming to fill the void left by Club Penguin's demise.
Roblox makes three of its AI safety tools open source
Roblox is open-sourcing three of its AI safety tools, including a PII classifier and a voice safety classifier, through the Robust Open Online Safety Tools Model Community (ROOST), which it co-founded with Google, OpenAI, and Discord. These tools are already deployed on Roblox's platform and aim to help other companies improve their online safety measures. This move comes as Roblox faces scrutiny from the US Senate regarding its child safety practices.
Australia’s eSafety Finds Fresh Child Safety Holes in Roblox — Platform Signs Binding Fix Pledge
Australia's eSafety Commission has reached a legally binding agreement with Roblox following the discovery of significant child safety vulnerabilities on the platform. The undertaking requires Roblox to implement stronger protections, including making child accounts private by default and blocking unknown adults from contacting children without parental consent within three months.
Roblox’s alleged child endangerment draws the investigatory eye of the US Senate
The US Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism has launched an investigation into Roblox, citing concerns that the platform prioritizes revenue over child safety. The subcommittee sent a letter to CEO David Baszucki, accusing Roblox of failing to protect young users from grooming, sexual abuse, and other serious crimes. Roblox has been instructed to preserve all relevant records as the investigation proceeds.
PlayStation Patents AI “Pseudo Account” to Flag Potentially Hazardous Users
Sony Interactive Entertainment has patented a new "Large Language Model Powered Social Integrity System" for PlayStation. This AI-driven "pseudo account" is designed to mimic potential victims' messaging behavior to identify and flag users engaging in suspicious activities like spam, harassment, or cheating without their knowledge.
US Senate launches investigation into Roblox: 'Children on your platform are hurting. Congress will not look the…
The US Senate Judiciary Committee has launched an investigation into child safety on the Roblox platform, citing concerns that the company prioritizes revenue over user well-being. Senators Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin sent a letter to CEO David Baszucki detailing allegations of grooming, sexual abuse, and exploitation occurring on the platform. Roblox maintains its commitment to safety and points to improved reporting systems as evidence of its efforts.
Roblox Is Now The Target Of A Congressional Investigation: “Children Are Hurting”
US Senators Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin have launched a congressional investigation into Roblox Corporation concerning child safety. The investigation stems from allegations that the platform prioritizes revenue over user well-being, leading to issues like child grooming, sexual abuse, and exploitation. Roblox Corporation has been instructed to preserve records and provide documents by August 31, with CEO David Baszucki expected to detail the platform's safety measures.
Evening Legal Briefs
The Senate has advanced the Kids Online Safety Act out of committee. This legislative development indicates progress on the bill aimed at protecting children online.
Senate advances the latest Kids Online Safety Act out of committee
The Senate has advanced the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) out of committee, following the House's passage of its own version in June. This legislation aims to enhance online safety for minors.
Chris Hansen gets banned from Roblox live on stage during online safety talk
During an online safety talk at CrimeCon 2026, "To Catch a Predator" host Chris Hansen had his demonstration Roblox account banned live on stage by moderators. The incident occurred while Hansen was attempting to showcase the platform's ecosystem, including a chat service inspired by Omegle. The presentation also featured Roblox YouTuber 'Schlep,' Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, and attorney Martin Gould, discussing the risks of online gaming and Roblox's safety protocols.
Roblox was for kids. Its future belongs to all of us.
Roblox is evolving beyond its initial perception as a children's platform, becoming a versatile space for diverse game development and experiences. Developers highlight its accessibility across multiple devices and its ability to foster niche genres, attracting a broader audience including adults. The platform's future hinges on balancing creative freedom with robust online safety measures.
New York finalizes its SAFE for Kids rules — and 98% is the figure platforms should be worried about
New York has finalized its SAFE for Kids Act rules, requiring social platforms to detect age verification circumvention at a 98% rate. The regulations, set to take effect January 25, 2027, mandate age verification for algorithmic feeds and late-night notifications, with penalties of up to $5,000 per violation for non-compliance. The rules do not prescribe specific verification methods but set accuracy floors, and legal challenges are anticipated.
EU says TikTok hasn't done enough to ensure minors' safety
The European Union has determined that TikTok has not adequately ensured the safety of minors on its platform. This finding could lead to a significant fine, potentially up to six percent of the company's annual revenue.
UK government lands on keeping VPNs alive, shall "continue to review"
The UK government has decided not to limit the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) at this time, following an investigation into social media use among minors. The government cited feedback from families, whistleblowers, and minority groups who highlighted the importance of VPNs for privacy and safety. While no immediate limitations will be imposed, the government stated that it will continue to review the matter and work with companies to ensure young people's safety.
VPNs are under fire, as new UK government survey says 22% of kids are using them
A UK government survey indicates that 22% of children have used a VPN in the past three months, primarily for privacy, accessing region-locked content like Netflix, or adult material. The survey also highlights that online games and gaming communities are the most common platforms lacking mandatory age checks. The government plans to use these findings to inform future policy development regarding online safety and VPN usage.
The ESA quietly starts walking back baffling statements about private servers being 'illegal', though it's still tutting and wagging its finger
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has softened its stance on private game servers, clarifying that concerns primarily relate to those that host or distribute copyrighted content without authorization. While still asserting publishers' rights to enforce intellectual property, the ESA's updated statement acknowledges that private servers are not inherently illegal and that publishers may approach them differently. This follows earlier, more condemnatory statements made by the ESA regarding private servers for games like Minecraft.
Surprise, surprise, Minecraft players are already using mods to bypass Xbox's new age restrictions
Minecraft players on PC are using mods to bypass Xbox's new age verification restrictions in the UK, which were implemented due to the Online Safety Act. These restrictions prevent players from chatting if they haven't verified they are over 18. Players are reportedly finding ways to circumvent these measures, though it is suggested these bypasses may be short-lived.
Rockstar's legal setback, Final Fantasy tax incentives, and PlayStation swaps 'PC' for 'AI' - Patch Notes #57
This week's gaming news includes Rockstar Games facing a trial date for union busting allegations, Sony Interactive Entertainment shifting its business strategy focus from 'PC' to 'AI' in SEC filings, and Microsoft's Xbox division reportedly preparing for studio closures. Additionally, Don't Nod is seeking new financing after Tencent withdrew short-term investment, Shibuya ward is offering Final Fantasy 14 in-game items for tax donations, and Epic Games is merging Unreal Engine 5 and UEFN into a unified Unreal Engine 6. The UK government is also set to implement a ban on social media for under 16s, impacting high-risk features in games.
'Many people want to use VPNs for privacy—that is important—but we know that some children use them to get around restrictions': UK government considering VPN ban
The UK government is considering new restrictions on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), potentially banning their use for individuals under 16 to prevent them from bypassing age verification checks on social media. While acknowledging the privacy benefits of VPNs for adults, the government is researching their use by children to circumvent online restrictions. Further statements on potential VPN regulations are expected in July.
