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Australian Government Demands to Know What Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam are Doing to Prevent Grooming, Radicalisation
AppWizard
April 23, 2026

Australian Government Demands to Know What Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam are Doing to Prevent Grooming, Radicalisation

The Australian Government's eSafety office has requested major gaming platforms, including Roblox, Microsoft, Epic, and Valve, to provide details on their measures to prevent child grooming and extremist content. The eSafety office has issued legally enforceable transparency notices due to concerns that platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam may be exploited by predators and extremist groups. Approximately 90% of children aged 8 to 17 in Australia engage with online games, highlighting the need for protective measures. Reports indicate that these platforms have been associated with grooming incidents and extremist themes, including games inspired by the Islamic State and depictions of mass shootings. Non-compliance with the transparency notice could result in penalties of AUD5,000 per day. In response, Roblox has committed to safety initiatives, including AI technology to review content and plans for age-based accounts to enhance user safety.
Australia probes Roblox and Minecraft over child safety
AppWizard
April 22, 2026

Australia probes Roblox and Minecraft over child safety

Australia's eSafety regulator has issued legally enforceable transparency notices to gaming companies, including Microsoft and Roblox, requiring them to detail their measures against sexual exploitation and radicalisation. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, highlighted that 90% of Australians aged eight to seventeen engage in online gaming, which poses risks such as grooming and radicalisation. Non-compliance with the notices could lead to penalties. Microsoft is reviewing the notice, while Roblox is facing over 140 lawsuits in U.S. federal courts for allegedly facilitating child sexual exploitation. Roblox has reached settlements in Alabama and West Virginia and plans to introduce tailored accounts for younger users.
Government has carried out no modelling on under-16 social media ban impacts
AppWizard
April 19, 2026

Government has carried out no modelling on under-16 social media ban impacts

Campaigners are urging caution regarding a proposed ban on social media for individuals under 16, as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has not conducted any internal modeling or analysis to assess the potential impacts of such a ban. The DSIT acknowledged that "clear, agreed evidence does not currently exist" in response to a Freedom of Information request. In legislative discussions, MPs rejected immediate restrictions on social media for minors, while Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need for action without guaranteeing prompt implementation. The government is piloting measures such as app bans, time restrictions, and overnight curfews with approximately 300 teenagers involved in a trial. Research led by Professor Amy Orben indicates gaps in understanding the relationship between children's mental health and digital technology use, highlighting the need for high-quality studies. The DSIT confirmed it has internal research on the subject but is withholding it to avoid misinterpretation. Burrows advocates for stronger regulation targeting online harm instead of outright bans, suggesting bans may not effectively address safety concerns. A DSIT spokesperson reiterated the commitment to building a strong evidence base and seeking public input before making decisions.
Russian officials discover fraudsters in Minecraft - they are using children in their schemes
AppWizard
April 3, 2026

Russian officials discover fraudsters in Minecraft – they are using children in their schemes

Fraudsters are exploiting in-game chats in Minecraft to deceive young players, particularly in Russia. They initiate contact with children in the game, then move the conversation to Telegram, posing as "cybersecurity officers" and claiming that the children have shared sensitive information. They threaten detention to coerce minors into stealing money from their parents to give to couriers. Authorities have issued warnings to raise awareness among children and parents about these deceptive tactics.
Stop Everything and Save Your Instagram Messages Before They're No Longer Private
AppWizard
March 17, 2026

Stop Everything and Save Your Instagram Messages Before They’re No Longer Private

Meta will cease to protect private direct messages on Instagram, discontinuing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) effective after May 8, 2026. Users are advised to download their data to avoid losing access to their message history. Those currently using E2EE can transition to standard messaging and export their messages, but must update their app to do so. Users will automatically switch to unencrypted messaging, allowing Meta to access these messages for moderation and advertising purposes. The removal of E2EE is attributed to low usage rates and child protection regulations aimed at preventing exploitation of minors.
Instagram says your chat privacy is going away, as its encryption vanishes soon
AppWizard
March 14, 2026

Instagram says your chat privacy is going away, as its encryption vanishes soon

Instagram's end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for direct messages will be removed on May 8, 2026, resulting in decreased privacy for user chats. The platform is also enhancing protections for younger users by implementing advanced AI to manage Teen Accounts, which will have restrictions on unsolicited contacts and curated content.
Did a Steam Game Give Your PC Malware? The FBI Wants to Know
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

Did a Steam Game Give Your PC Malware? The FBI Wants to Know

The FBI has launched an investigation into malware threats associated with PC games on Steam, particularly targeting users from May 2024 to January 2026. The games identified include BlockBlasters, Chemia, Dashverse/DashFPS, Lampy, Lunara, PirateFi, and Tokenova, all linked to malware incidents. For example, PirateFi was designed to steal browser cookies, Chemia updated itself with malicious software, and BlockBlasters was identified as a Trojan that siphoned cryptocurrency. The FBI's alert also mentions Lampy, which may harbor malware. Valve, the parent company of Steam, has not responded to inquiries but has warned users about the affected games. The investigation suggests a potential link to a single group or individual, with reports indicating that victims were lured through Telegram messages offering free game keys or job opportunities.
Lawsuit Claims Addictive Features of Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft Damaged Child’s Brain
AppWizard
March 5, 2026

Lawsuit Claims Addictive Features of Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft Damaged Child’s Brain

A lawsuit has been filed against several video game developers, alleging that their products have contributed to a serious gaming disorder in a 12-year-old player, Y.H., who has been gaming intensely since age three. Y.H. reportedly spends 971 hours on Fortnite, 292 hours on Roblox, and similar time on Minecraft, often playing five hours on school days and up to 12 hours on weekends. The child's guardian claims that Y.H. experiences withdrawal symptoms when gaming is interrupted and attributes this behavior to the developers' design choices. The lawsuit cites severe consequences for Y.H., including emotional distress, diminished social interactions, loss of interest in hobbies, and declining academic performance, alongside a diagnosis of ADHD. The claims include design defects, negligence, and intentional misrepresentation, seeking compensatory and punitive damages. Similar lawsuits have been filed across the U.S., but the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation declined to consolidate them, allowing individual cases to proceed in their respective courts.
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