Is Roblox getting banned in the PH?
The Department of Information and Communications Technology and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center have warned Roblox about a possible ban in the Philippines if the platform fails to address the raised child safety concerns in the game in 30 days.
This comes after Sen. Risa Hontiveros, on March 23, filed a resolution seeking a probe into Roblox and other gaming platforms over their potential risks to child safety. The CICC has also previously considered a nationwide block on the popular multiplayer game.
"We have observed reports regarding online predators, scams, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate [content] targeting minors," Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group's PBGen. Wilson Asuete said during a stakeholders meeting on March 31.
"These threats are real, evolving, and demand immediate and collective actions."
April 10 deadline
CICC Usec. Aboy Paraiso said that the ban is the "last thing" the agency wants to do. "But we cannot and will not blame the parents as well as who are working and at the same time rearing their children," he said.
"But if the platform fails to provide safety and ensure the welfare of those children, CICC will not hesitate to advocate and push forward with a ban."
The CICC is set to meet with Roblox representatives on April 7. The company has until April 10 to address the raised concerns. Telcos have said they're ready to block the game if the government decides to ban it.
"Kung ma-mo-move or ma-su-suspend or i-li-lift natin 'yung execution ng ban nila on April 10 is totally dependent on the actions of Roblox. Sila ang may control sa kapalaran nila dito sa Pilipinas," Paraiso said.
He added that for the ICC, it's "non-negotiable" for the representatives to be present.
"Importante na andito sila, una for the reporting mechanism, for us to effectively regulate and then, more importantly, for the CICC, so we can talk to them and uncover and unmask 'yung mga threat actors na namamalagi doon sa platform nila."
The agency also wants Roblox to register in the Philippines and to ensure that age verification protocols are tied to the government's "sources of truth," like the PhilSys system.
Paraiso added that the platform must be able to provide information, after a subpoena, to track down predators and bad actors.
For his part, DICT Sec. Henry Aguda noted that the government does not want to hinder or shut down avenues of creativity for kids like Roblox, but to ensure that they are safe spaces.
"Kaya ngayon, we are taking immediate actions, setting guardrails, strengthening safeguards, and ensuring that cybercriminals cannot exploit our children through these platforms and any other platform na maggamit nila," he said.
According to an AFP report, Roblox says it has around 144 million active users every day around the world, with more than 40 percent of them under 13 years old.
The platform is also in hot water with other countries over child exploitation concerns. In February, officials in Los Angeles sued the platform, while Australia called the gaming giant for an urgent meeting, the Netherlands has launched a probe, and Egypt blocked the game.
Earlier in January, Roblox announced that it would require users worldwide to complete an age check—which will work through face recognition—to chat with others.