Dutch authority opens DSA investigation into Roblox over child safety measures
The Dutch competition and consumer authority has launched an investigation into Roblox to assess whether the platform complies with EU rules on protecting minors online. The probe focuses on child safety obligations under the Digital Services Act.
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets, Authority for Consumers and Markets, has opened an investigation into Roblox, a social gaming platform widely used by children. The inquiry examines whether Roblox has put in place the safeguards required under the EU’s Digital Services Act to protect minors online.
According to the Dutch authority, there are concerns that Roblox may not be meeting its obligations to ensure a high level of privacy, security, and safety for children. The regulator said it is assessing whether children using the platform have been adequately protected from harmful content and behaviour, including potential exposure to malicious actors as well as violent or sexually explicit games.
The investigation will also look at whether Roblox uses so-called dark patterns. These are design techniques that can influence users’ behaviour in ways they may not fully understand, for example ,by making services more difficult to leave or encouraging longer and more frequent use. Regulators are increasingly scrutinising such practices, particularly when they affect children.
Under the Digital Services Act, the European Commission has primary oversight of very large online platforms with more than 45 million monthly users in the EU. National authorities, however, can investigate smaller platforms. As the Netherlands’ designated Digital Services Coordinator, the ACM has the power to open and conduct such investigations at the national level.
The ACM said it aims to complete the investigation within 12 months. If Roblox is found to be in breach of the Digital Services Act, the authority could impose fines or other corrective measures.
Roblox has said it has been in contact with the Dutch authority for several months and that it is committed to complying with EU rules. The company pointed to recent measures, including age checks for users who want to use chat functions, as part of its efforts to improve child safety on the platform.
The case comes as EU regulators increase their focus on how online platforms and games protect children. In July 2025, the European Commission issued guidelines on child protection under the Digital Services Act, and further scrutiny of the video games sector is expected under future EU consumer protection rules.
