The Mounting Backlash: A Petition to Remove the Roblox CEO Hits 100,000 Signatures

In a rare display of unified public outrage, a petition calling for the removal of Roblox CEO and founder David Baszucki has surpassed a staggering 100,000 signatures. The petition, launched on Change.org, is part of a growing wave of backlash against the platform’s leadership, which is accused of consistently prioritizing growth and revenue over user safety. This public outcry has been fueled by a series of recent events, including the company’s controversial legal action against a YouTuber known for exposing predators on the platform. The controversy has now drawn the attention of lawmakers and media figures, creating a perfect storm of pressure on the company to address its systemic safety failures. For parents, players, and anyone following online safety news and gaming industry trends, this is a pivotal moment that could force a significant change in the platform’s operations.

This escalating controversy highlights a critical issue at the heart of the modern gaming industry: the balance between creating a dynamic, user-driven platform and ensuring the safety of a predominantly young user base. With tens of millions of users under the age of 13, Roblox’s responsibility is immense. The public and legal pressure now being brought to bear on the company is unprecedented and could have long-term consequences for the future of online platforms that cater to children.

The Catalyst: A “Vigilante” and the Company’s Response

The latest surge in public anger can be traced back to the platform’s decision to ban and issue a cease-and-desist letter to a 22-year-old YouTuber known as “Schlep.” Schlep, a self-described “predator hunter” with a significant online following, claims to have facilitated several arrests of alleged predators targeting minors on Roblox. His methods, which involve publicly exposing alleged wrongdoers, led the company to ban him and accuse him of “vigilantism” and creating an unsafe environment for users. Roblox’s Chief Safety Officer, Matt Kaufman, defended the company’s position, stating that such actions undermine official safety efforts by bypassing established reporting channels and putting users at risk. He has said that the company believes safety enforcement should be left to professionals and law enforcement.

However, Schlep and his supporters argue that the company’s official reporting tools are ineffective and that their own attempts to report predators have gone unaddressed for weeks, allowing the harmful behavior to continue. This conflict between “vigilante” justice and corporate policy has become a flashpoint for a much larger discussion about how effectively Roblox is moderating its platform. The company’s legal action against a whistleblower, regardless of the company’s stated reasoning, was perceived by many as an attempt to silence criticism and prioritize its public image over the well-being of its users.

The Core Allegations and Broader Legal Fallout

The petition to remove David Baszucki outlines a number of serious allegations that go beyond the Schlep controversy. The petition accuses Baszucki’s leadership of repeatedly failing to implement robust child safety measures and of creating a culture that prioritizes profit over protection. Key points of concern include:

• Ineffective Moderation: Critics argue that Roblox’s heavily automated moderation systems are easily circumvented by “bad actors,” while innocent users are often unfairly banned. The petition cites reports that predators can remain active for weeks despite being flagged, a major risk to the platform’s young users.
• Delayed Action on Reports: There are numerous claims that the platform is slow to respond to reports of grooming and other harmful content. This delay, according to critics, puts children at continued risk by allowing malicious individuals to remain on the platform unchecked.
• Lack of Age Verification: Lawsuits have been filed against the company, alleging that it has recklessly designed its platform without a robust age verification process. This allows adults to easily pose as minors, bypassing privacy controls and putting children in danger.

The mounting public pressure has also led to legal and political scrutiny. The Louisiana Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, calling the platform the “perfect place for pedophiles” and accusing it of negligence. This lawsuit, along with a separate complaint filed in California, adds a significant new layer to the controversy. Lawmakers, including Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, have also become involved, advocating for stronger child safety measures on gaming platforms and adding political weight to the public outcry. The involvement of media figures like investigative journalist Chris Hansen further amplifies the issue, putting intense pressure on Roblox to address these concerns publicly and substantively.

Roblox’s Response and the Road Ahead

In the wake of the backlash, Roblox has been in full damage control mode. The company has released statements and videos featuring CEO David Baszucki, where he discusses the platform’s safety initiatives. Roblox has reiterated its commitment to working with law enforcement and using its own professional safety teams to handle reports. The company has stated it is dedicating “substantial resources” to detect and prevent inappropriate behavior. However, the response has done little to quell the outrage. The core of the issue for critics is not that Roblox is doing nothing, but that their efforts are reportedly insufficient and their policies, such as the one that led to the Schlep ban, are perceived as prioritizing corporate image over tangible safety measures.

The success of the petition and the mounting legal challenges signal a major turning point. For the first time, Roblox is facing a coordinated effort from multiple fronts—players, influencers, lawmakers, and legal authorities—all demanding greater accountability. Whether this pressure will lead to the removal of David Baszucki remains to be seen, but it has already forced the company to acknowledge its safety issues and could lead to major changes in how the platform operates. This controversy is a powerful reminder that in the era of user-generated content and live-service platforms, a company’s responsibility to its community is not just a matter of policy, but a critical component of its long-term survival.