Egyptian regulators have officially banned the popular gaming platform Roblox, following a trend of tightening digital restrictions across the Middle East and North Africa. The decision, reported by Bloomberg, is being enforced through a coordinated effort between the Supreme Council for Media Regulation and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
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The move for regulation was spearheaded by Senator Walaa Hermas Radwandid, who argued that the platform posed a threat to “moral and educational values.” Key concerns cited by the senator include:
- Direct Communication: The ability for children to interact with unverified strangers.
- Psychological Impact: Potential long-term behavioural effects on young users.
In response, a Roblox spokesperson stated that the company has “built rigorous safeguards” that exceed the standards of many other digital platforms. Despite these claims, Egypt now joins Iraq, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in either banning or heavily restricting the service. Recently, Turkey and Russia also enacted blanket bans, citing concerns over “LGBT propaganda.”
The ban comes despite Roblox’s significant economic footprint in the region. The company’s latest data suggests it contributed approximately $15 million to the combined GDP of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Qatar, and the UAE between 2021 and 2024.
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The restriction also aligns with a global shift toward aggressive child safety laws online:
- New Requirements: Roblox recently updated its age verification systems following pressure from US officials, though critics have described the rollout as technically flawed.
- Global Bans: Nations like Australia, Spain, and Denmark are currently moving toward banning social media entirely for minors, signalling a broader international crackdown on unregulated digital spaces for children.
