IT Experts and Local Developers Oppose Potential Roblox Ban Ahead of DICT Meeting

Technology professionals and local game developers are pushing back against the Philippine government’s potential nationwide ban on Roblox. As the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) prepares to meet with Roblox representatives this week, stakeholders argue that a blanket ban will fail to address the root cause of online child exploitation and unjustly penalizes innocent creators.

While authorities have stated that restricting access to the platform remains a potential outcome pending these discussions, critics have publicly described the threat of a ban as administrative overreach that threatens local livelihoods.

IT Experts Warn Against “Censorship” and Legal Overreach

Following a recent public consultation led by the DICT and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), IT professionals expressed concern over the lack of clear legal justification for blocking the platform.

Jeffrey Ian Dy, a former DICT Undersecretary, criticized the proceedings, describing the meeting as a “public rehearsal for internet control” and arguing that the ultimate aim appeared to be censorship rather than child protection. Dy pointed out that data indicates platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and Discord are utilized more frequently by online predators than Roblox.

“If the standard is ‘predators may use it,’ then almost every platform with private or live interaction is suddenly on the chopping block,” stated Ann Cuisia, echoing Dy’s sentiments. Cuisia argued that a disproportionate response lacking legal clarity equates to “internet martial law in civilian clothing.”

Cuisia also questioned the statutory basis for the potential restriction, noting:

• Republic Act 10844: While the law establishes the DICT as the primary policy agency, Cuisia argued it does not provide a “blank check to censor platforms at will.”
• Republic Act 11930 (Anti-OSAEC Law): The law supports enforcement against online sexual abuse but does not explicitly outline processes or thresholds for broad platform blocking.
• Precedent: Cuisia referenced a late 2025 Philippine court ruling that voided a National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) blocking memo against news sites which set a legal precedent against administrative prior restraint.

Economic Impact on Local Creators

For the Philippine development community, the potential ban represents a significant economic threat. According to a local developer named Kirby, there are currently over 3,000 local creators utilizing Roblox as a platform for game development and monetization.

Through the platform’s Developer Exchange (DevEx) program, users earn income by creating in-game items, clothing, and full gaming experiences. John Carlos, a digital creator and freelancer, emphasized that Roblox serves as a legitimate source of income for students managing their tuition and adults supplementing their primary jobs.

“Banning the platform would not only remove risks, but also remove opportunities, creativity, and motivation for many innocent players and creators,” John Carlos stated. Both developers highlighted that punishing the entire user base of over 5 million daily active Filipino players due to the actions of criminal predators is a misdirected approach.

Calls for Targeted Enforcement

With Roblox representatives scheduled to meet with the DICT and CICC this week, the development community is urging the government to cooperate with the platform’s operators and focus on law enforcement tracking.

John Carlos warned that if Roblox is banned, predators will simply migrate to unmoderated shadows on other messaging and social platforms. The developers also highlighted that Roblox currently has multiple built-in safety mechanisms that parents can actively utilize, including:

• ID and Age Verification systems.
• Automated chat filters that block inappropriate language and personal information sharing.
• Built-in parental controls governing screen time limits, chat restrictions, and game history.
• Content maturity labels and item reviews prior to publishing.

Government Sets ‘Non-Negotiable’ Safety Demands

Conversely, state agencies have finalized their position, warning that the platform’s continued operation beyond the deferred April 10 deadline is strictly dependent on its compliance with mandated safety reforms.

During the stakeholder summit, CICC detailed the government’s three “non-negotiable” requirements for Roblox:

• Local Registration: The platform must register and establish a physical office in the Philippines.
• Strict Age Verification: Protocols must be tied to a national database, specifically recommending the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), rather than relying on self-declared ages.
• Law Enforcement Cooperation: The platform must provide necessary data to track digital predators. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda clarified that requests for user information will follow strict due process, requiring court orders and subpoenas.

The government is also demanding “safety by design” upgrades. This includes a rapid-response reporting hotline to bypass automated AI moderation, and context-based filtering to automatically block grooming behaviors such as predators asking minors for physical addresses or attempting to move conversations to third-party apps.

Zero-Tolerance Policy and Telco Readiness

The DICT noted that Roblox has approximately 6 million daily active users in the country, generating an estimated PHP 8.5 billion a month from the Philippine market, a figure the agency intends to verify during this week’s meetings.

Despite the economic footprint, officials maintain a zero-tolerance stance. When a developer cited statistics arguing that exploitation cases represent a minute fraction of the global player base, Paraiso dismissed the defense. “One child that gets sexually exploited… is enough for government to step in,” he stated.

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) supported this position, noting that studies show only 4% of exploited children actually report abuse, meaning the vast majority of cases remain undocumented.

If Roblox fails to adopt these safety measures and a ban is enacted, major internet service providers, including PLDT, Smart, and Globe, have publicly confirmed they are prepared to execute the platform blockade upon receiving a formal NTC directive.

This article is published on BitPinas: IT Experts and Local Developers Oppose Potential Roblox Ban Ahead of DICT Meeting

What else is happening in Crypto Philippines and beyond?