TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA October 20, 2025 – In a sharp escalation of an ongoing investigation, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Monday that his office is issuing criminal subpoenas to Roblox Corporation, accusing the popular online gaming platform of becoming a “breeding ground for predators” that endangers children.
Uthmeier, a Republican who took office earlier this year, described the move as a critical step to uncover evidence of criminal activity on the platform, which boasts over 70 million daily active users, many of them minors. “Roblox profited off of our kids while exposing them… They enabled our kids to be abused,” Uthmeier stated in a video message posted to X (formerly Twitter), flanked by the Florida state seal in his office. The subpoenas, he added, will empower prosecutors to collect detailed information on suspected predators, victims, and the company’s role—or lack thereof—in facilitating harm.
This action follows a civil investigative subpoena issued to Roblox in April 2025 under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, signaling the probe’s shift from regulatory scrutiny to potential criminal charges. The earlier subpoena sought documents related to the platform’s safety protocols, but Uthmeier’s office now alleges that Roblox’s inadequate safeguards have directly aided exploitation.
Roblox, valued at over $40 billion and known for user-generated games appealing to children as young as 8, has long faced criticism for its moderation challenges. A 2024 report by short-seller Hindenburg Research accused the company of lax oversight, claiming it allowed predators to groom minors through unmonitored chats and virtual interactions. Multiple lawsuits have piled on, including one from the Louisiana Attorney General and another in San Francisco federal court, both alleging the platform fails to prevent sexual exploitation.
The Florida announcement comes amid global backlash against Roblox. Just days ago, Iraq banned the platform nationwide, citing risks of cyber-extortion and content incompatible with cultural norms. In response to Uthmeier’s subpoenas, a Roblox spokesperson emphasized the company’s proactive measures in a statement to Reuters: “While no system is perfect, our trained teams and automated tools continuously monitor communications to detect and remove harmful content.” The company highlighted recent updates, such as prohibiting image and video sharing in chats, filters to block personal information exchanges, and AI-driven age estimation for chat access—particularly for users under 13.
Uthmeier vowed an unrelenting pursuit: “At the end of the day, we will stop at nothing to fight to protect our kids and [hold] companies who act carelessly accountable.” The investigation could set a precedent for other states, amplifying calls for federal oversight of child safety in online gaming.
Roblox shares dipped slightly in after-hours trading Monday, reflecting investor concerns over the mounting legal pressures. The company, founded in 2006, has repeatedly defended its safety record, reporting the removal of millions of inappropriate items annually. However, advocates like Schlep, a Roblox safety activist who helped secure a conviction in a Florida child sexual abuse material case tied to the platform, praised Uthmeier’s move on X: “As someone who was victimized on Roblox, thank you for taking this seriously. Thousands of children have suffered life-altering abuse.”
Florida’s action underscores a broader U.S. push to regulate Big Tech’s impact on youth, with similar probes into social media giants like Meta and TikTok. As the subpoenas take effect, Roblox faces a pivotal moment: bolster defenses or brace for deeper legal entanglements.
