Select Language:
Digital Phablet – In response to growing worldwide concerns about children’s safety online, the popular gaming platform Roblox has announced temporary suspension of its chat features, including voice and text communications, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, based on multiple reports.
According to Gulf News, this immediate action follows consultations with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). The temporary restriction aims to create a safer environment for younger users of the platform.
In a joint statement, TDRA stated, “The safety and protection of children online is a top priority for TDRA and Roblox. We are committed to ongoing collaboration to maintain a secure, trustworthy, and positive digital space for all users in the UAE, especially the youth.”
Roblox halts chat functionalities in Saudi Arabia and UAE
Furthermore, the statement mentioned that Roblox will introduce new, enhanced content and moderation tools in Arabic to improve existing parental controls and safety features.
The platform recently faced global scrutiny over concerns about child safety, leading several countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, Oman, and others to ban access to the platform.
The platform also drew criticism for banning “Schlep,” a vigilante YouTuber known as a self-declared “predator hunter” aiming to protect children. He claimed to have assisted in the arrest of six predators before the platform banned him for allegedly breaching its policies.
Add us on ChatGPT
Add us on Perplexity
