Roblox’s reported user numbers will make it subject to additional EU legislation for regulating social networks
Roblox may become the first gaming platform to be classified as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), according to EU officials. Thomas Regnier, spokesperson for the EU Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Defence, and Space, indicated that such classification is “definitely possible” based on Roblox’s recently disclosed user numbers exceeding the DSA’s VLOP threshold.
If designated a VLOP, Roblox would face additional regulatory obligations including requirements to “identify, analyse, and assess systemic risks” on its platform. This encompasses risks related to illegal content, protection of minors, and other systemic concerns affecting large online platforms. The designation would represent a significant regulatory milestone as the first gaming platform to receive VLOP status.
The DSA’s VLOP classification imposes stricter oversight on platforms reaching specific scales of user engagement, reflecting their societal influence. Compliance requirements for VLOPs and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) are substantially more rigorous than those for smaller platforms, based on active user thresholds.
The development underscores growing regulatory scrutiny of gaming platforms in Europe, particularly regarding user safety, content moderation, and protection of younger users who comprise a substantial portion of Roblox’s user base. This classification could establish precedent for how other large gaming and social platforms are regulated under DSA provisions.