Qatar has restricted access to the popular online gaming platform Roblox, citing worries about children’s safety. The move follows a surge of social media calls last week urging authorities to
take action, according to The Peninsula Qatar.
Although Roblox is still available for download via the Apple App Store and Google Play, players in Qatar are unable to progress beyond the home screen, instead receiving a “No Network” message. The web version similarly displays, “This site can’t be reached.”
The non-profit internet censorship tracker Ooni reported “access anomalies” affecting Roblox in Qatar starting at 7:32am on August 13. The Qatari government has not yet issued an official statement confirming the block.
Roblox—where users can build and explore virtual worlds—has faced long-standing criticism from parents and online safety advocates over exposure to inappropriate content and risks of exploitation. Similar bans have already been enforced in countries such as China, Turkey, and Oman. Photo by Roblox Corporation, Wikimedia commons.
