DICT, CICC Cancel Planned Roblox Ban After Safety Commitments

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (D.I.C.T.) and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (C.I.C.C.) have officially withdrawn plans to ban the online gaming platform Roblox in the Philippines, April 7.

The decision came after a high-level meeting between officials from the D.I.C.T., C.I.C.C., law enforcement agencies, private sectors, and representatives of Roblox Corporation after the company assured that it will strengthen child safety measures on its platform.

Authorities confirmed that enhanced safeguards proposed by Roblox were sufficient to avert a nationwide shutdown. 

“Nilatag at ipinaliwanag ng Roblox ang mas mahigpit na safeguards sa kanilang platform, kabilang ang mas strikto na monitoring, reporting mechanisms, at age-appropriate content controls,” the D.I.C.T. Secretary Henry Aguda said.

The agency also announced that Roblox will launch age-based content, age-based parental controls, and information campaign on April 12 to “further strengthen safeguards and provide guidance to parents on how to use these tools.”

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Roblox sa pakikipagpulong at sa kanilang commitment na paigtingin ang kanilang safety measures at makipagtulungan sa pamahalaan,” he added.

On March 17, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) Brig. Gen. Wilson Asuete said that authorities received reports regarding online predators, scams, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content targeting minors on the platform.

The C.I.C.C. then issued a 30-day ultimatum (later shortened to 15 days), warning that failure to address these issues could result in a full nationwide ban, including blocking access via internet service providers and app stores. 

“Nauunawaan natin ang pangamba ng mga magulang at ng publiko sa mga isyu ng online abuse, lalo na sa mga platform na ginagamit ng ating kabataan. Kaya malinaw ang ating nais: gawing ligtas, responsable, at mapagkakatiwalaan ang digital space para sa bawat batang Pilipino,” Mr. Aguda said.

Despite lifting the threat of prohibition, the D.I.C.T. and C.I.C.C. clarified that Roblox will remain under close monitoring.

Authorities warned that future violations or failure to comply with safety standards could still result in regulatory action.

Mr. Aguda also called for parents and guardians to remain attentive in supervising children’s online activity, “Platforms like Roblox, parang digital playground po ‘yan. Pwedeng maglaro, matuto, at makipag-connect, pero dahil open siya sa lahat, may risks din kaya habang nag-eenjoy sila, responsibilidad nating siguraduhin na ligtas ang spaces na ito. Kasi at the end of the day, ang safety ng kabataan ang priority natin.”