Following Instagram, access to Roblox has also been blocked: Ministry explains the reason

Following Instagram, another platform has been blocked by the BTK. Access to the Roblox platform, which allows users to program games and play games created by other users, is currently unavailable.

Players who encountered the error message “Roblox failed to download or apply critical settings” when trying to log in to the platform were initially confused, but the truth emerged hours later. Access to Roblox was blocked by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK).

According to information on the BTK website, the game Roblox was blocked by a decision of the Adana 6th Criminal Court of Peace.

STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY

Following the blocking of the game program Roblox, a statement was issued by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.

The statement made by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure is as follows:

“The decision to block access to the online gaming platform Roblox in our country was made by the decision of the Adana 6th Criminal Court of Peace as a result of an investigation conducted by the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Following the publication of the decision in the UYAP system, it was implemented by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority.

We present this to the public.”

WHAT IS ROBLOX?

Roblox is an online experience platform and experience creation system developed by Roblox Corporation. It allows users to program their own experiences and play experiences created by other users.

REASON FOR THE ACCESS BAN IS 'CHILD ABUSE'

It was stated that the access ban was imposed on the gaming platform Roblox by the Adana 6th Criminal Court of Peace due to the presence of content that could lead to child abuse.

According to the report by AA, the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Cyber Crimes Bureau requested that access to the website www.roblox.com/tr and its links in application stores be blocked upon the determination that it contained content that could lead to child abuse.

The Adana 6th Criminal Court of Peace, which handled the request, examined the submitted petition and the investigation reports regarding the specified internet addresses.

The court decided to block access to the www.roblox.com/tr website and its links in application stores in accordance with Article 8/A-1 of the Law on the Regulation of Publications Made on the Internet and Combating Crimes Committed Through These Publications, which stipulates that "a judge may issue an access blocking decision based on reasons such as the right to life, protection of public order, prevention of crime, or protection of public health."

YILMAZ TUNÇ: POPULIST RHETORIC SHOULD BE AVOIDED

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç made the following statements regarding the issue on his X account:

"It is everyone's duty to observe the best interests of our children, who are the guarantee of our future, and to protect and support them.

Turkey is among the leading countries that closely follow global developments and use technology in the best possible way. However, the misuse of technology can never be accepted.

Everyone in a position of responsibility who cares about the future of our country and our nation must approach such situations targeting our children with sensitivity and avoid populist and irresponsible rhetoric.

Attempts to undermine our social structure, child abuse, incitement to violence, and activities that will negatively affect the development of our children, each of whom is a gem, will never be permitted."