Popular online free game Roblox It has been banned in Turkey due to the country's government's concerns about possible child exploitation.
RobloxThe game, which was released in 2006, has been at the centre of a huge controversy in recent years after multiple reports emerged suggesting the game may not be safe for children. In July, Bloomberg It was reported HE Roblox In 2023 alone, it sent more than 13,000 reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Earlier this year, an executive at Roblox Studio suggested that the game, which allows users to create their own content and earn money through in-app purchases, could provide jobs for children living in slums. Now, one country has apparently had enough and banned it entirely Roblox.
On August 7, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on Twitter HE Roblox It was completely banned in the country on the grounds that it “contains content that could lead to child abuse.”
Türkiye Today He says the sudden ban is mainly due to recent reports of in-game sexual content and child abuse allegations. Roblox
“According to our constitution,” Tunç wrote, “our state is obliged to take the necessary measures to ensure the protection of our children. It is everyone's duty to look out for, protect and support the best interests of our children.”
In a statement given EuroplayerRoblox has claimed that it has been trying to make the game “one of the safest online platforms” for its youngest players for the past two decades.
“Keeping our users safe is at the core of everything we do,” a Roblox spokesperson said. Europlayer“We respect the laws and regulations in the countries where we operate and share the commitment of local legislators to children. By working together, Roblox “It will be on air again in Turkey as soon as possible.”
In 2021, People Make Games It was reported about alleged shady dealings Robloxincluding overworking young children to produce games to generate more content and make more money. In April, Roblox Studio head Stefano Corazza was asked about the growing concerns about child exploitation Roblox. This was his answer:
“I mean, I could be 15 years old living in a slum in Indonesia, and now, with just a laptop, I can create things, make money, and make a living.”
The comment did not go down well online and sparked a lot of backlash. Shortly after the comment was made public, The company was forced to issue a lengthy response He claims that most content creators are over the age of 18 and that the company never hires teenagers.
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