Philippine authorities aim at Roblox in gaming cybercrime drive

(AsiaGameHub) –   The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its crackdown on cybercrime activities occurring on online gaming platforms, including the popular children’s video game Roblox.

This action follows concerns raised by prosecutors regarding elements within Roblox that bear resemblance to gambling, potentially exposing children to exploitation. The directive specifically targets issues of child exploitation and illegal gambling.

Cybercrime crack down

In an official statement issued on Sunday, PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. instructed the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to bolster its efforts in combating illegal conduct facilitated through online gaming applications.

The gaming platform Roblox was specifically named in connection with reports alleging its misuse for purposes such as “sexual predation, grooming and exploitation of minors.”

Chief General Nartatez stated: “Our mandate of serving and protecting the people now encompasses cyberspace to keep them safe, especially for children. This is what modern policing also means, and your PNP has been keeping up.”

The PNP has confirmed its ongoing collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to investigate these allegations.

Officials have clarified that the enforcement efforts are not limited to Roblox, indicating that other online gaming and social media applications are also under close observation.

‘Child gambling’

Roblox boasts over 111 million daily users, with approximately 40% being under the age of 13. Its systems involving randomized rewards and purchasable virtual items have attracted scrutiny from both regulators and academics.

Research conducted by the University of Sydney, along with interviews with children and parents, has revealed that young users often struggle to comprehend in-game currency and random-reward mechanics. Some parents have described these features as ‘child gambling,’ and have characterized transactions as ‘scams’ and ‘cash grabs.’

This intensified focus on enforcement also reflects a broader international trend in regulation. In Greece, authorities have recently taken steps to enhance protections for young people amidst growing concerns about harms associated with online betting, including measures to limit exposure to digital gambling content and strengthen oversight of online platforms.