The European Union’s digital regulations could soon apply to the gaming platform Roblox for the first time, following reports of its user numbers. The platform may be designated as a very large online platform, or VLOP, under the bloc’s Digital Services Act.
This classification would place Roblox under stricter obligations for content moderation, transparency, and systemic risk management. The designation would make Roblox the first game platform to receive this status under EU law.
User Numbers Trigger Oversight
The potential reclassification stems from Roblox’s reported average monthly user figures within the European Union. Under the Digital Services Act, platforms with more than 45 million average monthly users in the EU are considered very large online platforms.
Once a platform crosses that threshold, it must comply with additional Rules designed to address societal risks. These include measures to tackle illegal content, protect minors, and provide greater data access to researchers and regulators.
The reporting on Roblox’s user numbers suggests the company has now met or exceeded this threshold, triggering the need for compliance.
Implications for the Gaming Sector
A VLOP designation for Roblox signals a significant shift for the video game industry. Historically, gaming services have often been viewed separately from traditional social media platforms under EU regulations.
However, Roblox functions as a user-generated content ecosystem, where millions of players create, share, and interact within virtual worlds. This social dimension is why EU regulators are likely to apply the same standards used for other large online services.
Under the Digital Services Act, a VLOP must conduct annual risk assessments and take steps to mitigate issues like disinformation, cyber violence, and the spread of harmful material. They are also required to offer stronger user reporting tools and provide clear terms of service.
Compliance Obligations
If officially designated, Roblox will be required to comply within four months of the notification. The European Commission is the body responsible for overseeing VLOPs and enforcing the regulation.
Failure to meet the requirements can result in significant financial penalties. The Commission can impose fines of up to six percent of a company’s global annual turnover for non-compliance.
The company will also need to establish an internal compliance function and submit to external audits. Access to data for vetted researchers is another mandatory requirement for platforms in this category.
The Digital Services Act came into full application in February 2024. It applies to all online intermediaries, but the most stringent obligations are reserved for those serving over 10 percent of the EU’s population, which is approximately 45 million people.
Context and Next Steps
The European Commission publishes an official list of designated VLOPs. Roblox has not yet appeared on this list, pending formal confirmation of its user metrics.
Regulators are likely to request detailed data from the company to verify the reported figures before proceeding with an official designation. Once the verification process is complete, a formal announcement could follow.
The move reflects a broader trend in EU policy to hold online ecosystems accountable for the content they host, regardless of whether they are labeled as games or social networks. Any final decision will come from the European Commission after a review of the data provided.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
