Roblox Bans User Who Hunted Alleged Groomers
▼ Summary
– Kentucky attorney general Russell Coleman announced a lawsuit against Roblox over suspected pedophiles on the platform and highlighted the work of predator hunter Schlep.
– Schlep, a 22-year-old Texan, has spent two years tracking alleged groomers on Roblox and amassed 2.3 million YouTube subscribers by exposing safety shortcomings and predator identities.
– Roblox banned Schlep’s accounts and issued a cease-and-desist letter, stating his methods interfered with safety protocols and increased user risk by not reporting through proper channels.
– Multiple states, including Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, have filed lawsuits or subpoenas alleging Roblox enables child exploitation and prioritizes profits over safety.
– Activist groups UltraViolet and ParentsTogether Action held a virtual protest in Roblox, delivering a petition urging the CEO to prioritize child safety over engagement metrics.
The popular online gaming platform Roblox has taken decisive action against a prominent user known for his self-styled “predator hunting” activities, banning his accounts following a cease-and-desist order. This move highlights the growing tension between independent vigilante efforts and corporate safety protocols in digital spaces where child protection remains a paramount concern. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman recently referenced this specific case while discussing legal actions against Roblox, pointing to what he described as the platform’s attempts to silence those raising security alarms.
Coleman specifically mentioned the developer known as Schlep, whose real first name is Michael. The 22-year-old from Texas has dedicated the past two years to collaborating with fellow players to track individuals suspected of grooming minors on Roblox. Michael’s motivation stems from his own traumatic experience a decade ago, when he says an online predator targeted him, leading to a severe personal crisis. Operating under a pseudonym to protect his privacy, Schlep built a substantial YouTube following of 2.3 million subscribers by documenting perceived flaws in Roblox’s safety systems and publicly identifying alleged offenders.
However, on August 8, Roblox issued a formal cease-and-desist notice to Schlep and permanently banned all his associated accounts, effectively ending his predator-hunting endeavors. In the letter, Roblox acknowledged that his stated goal of protecting children was valid and recognized the seriousness of predatory behavior online. Nevertheless, the company asserted that his methods, particularly his failure to report suspicious activities through official channels, disrupted established safety procedures and potentially increased risks for users.
This disciplinary action occurs as Roblox faces escalating legal and public scrutiny. Over recent months, multiple states have initiated lawsuits accusing the platform of becoming a haven for predators targeting young players. Louisiana’s attorney general filed a suit alleging Roblox “knowingly enabled and facilitated the systemic sexual exploitation and abuse of children.” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued criminal subpoenas to determine if the company was “aiding predators in accessing and harming children.” Similarly, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Roblox, claiming it prioritized “pixel pedophiles and profits over the safety of Texas children.”
Adding to public pressure, activist organizations UltraViolet and ParentsTogether Action staged a virtual protest within Roblox on November 18. They delivered a petition urging CEO David Baszucki to prioritize child safety above engagement metrics, signaling that community and regulatory demands for stronger protective measures are intensifying.
(Source: Wired)
