Roblox (PC, Xbox One, iOS, Android) is a gaming platform that is especially popular among children, teenagers, and investors. On Tuesday, the company behind the platform filed a lawsuit in a California court: They are suing the YouTuber Benjamin “Ruben Sim” Simon (24) for $1.6 million in damages. He is said to finally stop harassing Roblox players and developers.
What are the allegations against the YouTuber?
- The YouTuber “Ruben Sim” (766,000 subscribers) is portrayed as the leader of a cyber mob that has caused trouble in Roblox for years.
- It is said that the YouTuber has been banned from the platform for years. He was kicked off for harassing other users, using homophobic and racist slurs, and uploading photos of Adolf Hitler. Roblox also accuses him of sexual harassment.
- However, he keeps gaining access to Roblox by using other accounts, according to the company’s lawyers.
Threat of Terror Against Roblox Developer Conference
That is the probably most serious accusation: Roblox’s lawyers accuse the YouTuber of ensuring, through terror threats, that the Roblox developer conference had to temporarily close in October.
It is said that Simon posted on Twitter that the police in San Francisco should look out for “notorious Islamic terrorists” at the conference.
Roblox states that they spent $50,000 alone to investigate the false reports that the YouTuber and his “cyber mob” circulated among followers.
Other allegations include:
- He glorified the shooting at YouTube’s headquarters on April 3, 2018, and hinted that something similar could happen at Roblox’s headquarters
- He attempted to upload nude pictures of himself with only minimal coverage of his genitals
- He tried to upload a sex game
- He attempted to upload a picture of Hitler
How does the YouTuber respond to the lawsuit? He consciously does not want to comment on it to make it easier for his lawyers. Once the lawsuit is over, he will tell “his side of the story”.
Ruben Sim says he will continue to upload videos.
Roblox involves billions of US dollars – security is extremely important
Why is the case so significant for Roblox? Roblox is a relatively open platform where creative people can create content that others can buy and play. It is also a type of marketplace. Creative people can earn good money there.
The company is worth an enormous amount on the stock market, at times worth more than Activision Blizzard, the massive gaming corporation. The concept of a digital marketplace where users create content for others and can make money from it is one of the big trends currently. This is also referred to as the “Leisure Economy.”
For such a network and the company behind it, it is essential that no inappropriate content is uploaded – especially because the platform is primarily used by children and teenagers. This has been set as an important goal. It is said that 2000 “real people” are looking for content that violates the platform rules and moderating it. Nonetheless, inappropriate content seems to continually slip through.
Now, with a lawsuit for a high damage sum, Roblox apparently also wants to set an example.
Someone is recreating real shooting incidents like in Christchurch in the children’s game Roblox
