Roblox
TINA.org investigated the online gaming and creation platform Roblox, which is used by millions of young children on a daily basis, and found, among other things, that the company allows advertising to be surreptitiously interlaced with organic content in a multitude of ways, and uses atypical earnings claims to lure game developers to its platform.
Highlights
- Filed complaint with FTC
- Filed FOIA Appeal with FTC
- Filed complaint with ASA
- Sent letter to CARU, Roblox and Walmart regarding deceptive Walmart advergame on Roblox
- Roblox issues new Advertising Standards
- Walmart removed advergame from Roblox
- Filed opposition to class-action settlement
Timeline
2023
October 5
The Court issues its decision granting final approval of the proposed settlement agreement, but also granting TINA.org’s motion for leave to file an amicus brief and allowing TINA.org to appear at the Final Approval Hearing. In addition, the approval order allows TINA.org to notify the Court if “Roblox fails to follow the Court-approved relief or otherwise fails to provide the ongoing value to class members.”
September 27
A final fairness hearing is held in the Northern District of California, during which the Court asks the parties to address the points and arguments in TINA.org’s amicus brief. However, the Court ultimately grants final approval of the proposed settlement agreement from the bench. A written decision will follow.
August 9
In a class-action lawsuit pending against Roblox for allegedly deceptively enticing millions of children to purchase in-game content on its platform and then deleting their purchased content without providing any refund or credit, TINA.org files brief as amicus curiae opposing the proposed settlement reached by the parties, as well as a Motion for Leave to file the brief.
June 15
Roblox’s new “Advertising Standards” take effect.
May 11
CARU determined that Roblox violated its Ad Guidelines by (1) failing to adequately disclose to children when advertising is present within experiences and videos on Roblox; and (2) failing to ensure that social media influencers clearly and conspicuously disclose their material connections to Roblox in a manner that is understandable to children. CARU recommended that Roblox ensure that proper disclosures are implemented. Roblox disagreed with some of CARU’s findings and recommendations but stated it would comply with CARU’s recommendations as they pertain to influencers.
March 27
TINA.org, along with Fairplay, Center for Digital Democracy, National Association of Consumer Advocates, and Common Sense Media, respond to CARU’s letter expressing ongoing concern about its decision regarding Walmart Universe of Play, as well as its COPPA Safe Harbor Program in general.
March 15
Roblox issues an onslaught of new “Community Standards” and “Advertising Standards,” which are to become effective on June 15, 2023. Many of the new standards appear to be responding to issues TINA.org raised with the platform and the FTC last April. A discussion of the changes is available here.
As of March 10
Walmart removes its Universe of Play from Roblox search results and locked the experience on the platform so that children cannot access this undisclosed advergame.
January 31
CARU responds to advocacy groups’ letter regarding Walmart Universe of Play on Roblox and stands by its decision to admit the advergame into its COPPA Safe Harbor Program.
January 23
TINA.org, along with Fairplay, Center for Digital Democracy, and National Association of Consumer Advocates, sends a letter to the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) regarding Walmart Universe of Play advergame on Roblox.
2022
November 1
Just days after boasting to media outlets that “users under the age of 13 will no longer be eligible to see ads” on the platform, Roblox quietly removes its longstanding written policy that “Ads may not contain content intended for users under the age of 13.” Here’s the before and after.
October 27
TINA.org sends a follow-up letter to the FTC (and provides a copy to Roblox, as well as certain companies who advertise on the platform) regarding inaccurate statements made by Roblox about the platform blocking children from accessing advertisements.
August 23
The Advertising Standards Authority declines TINA.org’s complaint because, though Roblox is used by consumers in the UK, it is based in the U.S. and thus outside the ASA’s purview as it “can only take action against advertisers that are based in the UK, or are using a UK platform to advertise their products/services.”
August 10
TINA.org sends complaint letter to the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK urging the agency to take action.
May 12
The FTC responds to TINA.org’s FOIA appeal indicating that it will provide all of the nearly 1,300 consumer complaints filed with the FTC regarding Roblox.
April 19
TINA.org sends complaint letter to FTC urging the agency to take action.
April 18
TINA.org files a FOIA appeal with the FTC regarding the agency’s provision of only 200 of nearly 1,300 consumer complaints filed with the FTC regarding Roblox.
Featured
Roblox Metaverse Playing Games with Consumers
TINA.org files complaint with the FTC concerning deceptive advertising on Roblox.
Walmart’s Undisclosed Advergame on Roblox Targets Children
TINA.org, together with other consumer groups, calls for immediate audit of Walmart Universe of Play.
TINA.org Raises Major Red Flags with Roblox Class-Action Settlement
How millions of kids will lose their rights to be properly refunded for their losses.
The Latest
Will Roblox’ new advertising rules make a difference?
Colin Campbell, GameDaily.biz
Walmart winds down Roblox play as metaverse lands in privacy crosshairs
Peter Adams, Marketing Dive
Walmart Quietly Removes Kid’s Advergame from Roblox
Universe of Play’s removal follows action led by TINA.org – and inaction from self-reg group.
What Roblox’s New Ad Policies Mean for Brands
Asa Hiken, AdAge
Roblox Revamps Its Ad Policies after TINA.org Action
Will it enforce them this time?
Consumer advocacy groups want Walmart’s Roblox game audited for ‘stealth marketing’ to kids
Sarah Perez, TechCrunch
Most Deceptive Ads of 2022
Some of the worst ads TINA.org covered this year.
Roblox Quietly Removes Its Ban on Ads Directed at Kids
What’s stopping advertisers from targeting children now?
Touted but Toothless: The Problem with Some Tech Platforms’ Policies
Prohibited content slips through the cracks.
Roblox rolls out new ad tools amid concerns around how companies market to children — the core users on the platform
Marty Swant & Alexander Lee, Digiday
Class-Action Tracker
Roblox’s Representations
Allegations: Falsely representing that Roblox is safe and educational and that users can make money on the platform
Virtual Items on Roblox
Allegations: Misleadingly representing that Roblox is free to play and failing to provide refunds to minors
Roblox In-Game Content
Allegations: Advertising in-game content without warning consumers that the platform deletes purchased content and does not provide refunds or credits for the deletions
Roblox
Allegations: Failing to disclose the risk of criminal and predative activity on its platform and misleading parents into thinking that Roblox protects children from inappropriate content
Gambling on Roblox
Allegations: Falsely representing that its platform and digital currency are safe and that experiences that simulate gambling are not allowed on the platform