Roblox TOS update bans handholding leaving players baffled

A Roblox TOS update banning kissing and handholding has left the community bewildered. The ban prohibits public displays of affection and romantic gestures, among new rules.

The Roblox community continues to grow, but as it increases in popularity its terms of service are also becoming longer and more detailed.

The latest changes have been particularly controversial, and somewhat comical, with ‘romantic gestures’, including handholding and kissing, on the ban list.

This latest update to Roblox’s terms of service makes some eye-catching changes, with the devs explaining “experiences that depict romantic events, including weddings, dates, and honeymoons” are also banned.

Roblox TOS update: the new rules

The new rules come under “Dating and Romantic Content”, and are aimed at fostering a “safe space for meeting online friends, chatting, and collaborating on creative projects,” – but without any romantic elements.

The TOS update also makes changes to the game’s intellectual property rules, the latest being “Using Roblox’s name, logo, or other designs both on and off the platform” is also considered a violation.

According to roblox, I cannot say "Roblox" on Roblox's name or Roblox's logo
So, I will get banned by saying "Roblox" on chat pic.twitter.com/NsFE0Avc3b

— ً ً (@_KrisDreemurr_) October 6, 2021

The powers behind the successful multiplayer game have not yet explained why they’ve made such stringent changes, although a clue may be found on their community standards webpage.

“At Roblox, we’re building the metaverse: a space for people to adventure, experience, and explore. We’re a global community on this journey together, and we want to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe and is treated with kindness and respect.

“That’s why we’ve created these Community Standards. To outline how we expect our users to behave, and to be clear up front about what is and isn’t allowed on Roblox.”

Roblox community responds to new rules

The Roblox community has reacted to the changes with a mixture of outrage and ridicule. Popular Twitch streamer Quackity responded by tweeting, “I’m going to be a menace and break all their dumb rules in a single stream.” Although he has since deleted the tweet.

Others poked fun at the new rules, calling the idea of banning something as innocent as holding hands “funny” or “ridiculous,” with some even saying they’ll quit the game.

The new roblox tos shit is so fucking funny THEY BANNED HOLDING HANDS…..no pda smh pic.twitter.com/pMgZD80qzR

— kupa ! (@Kupadraws) October 6, 2021

Some Roblox creators have pointed out that the update could harm the game, with some of its most popular game modes unable to survive under the new rules.

All the front-page games now liable to be banned (all are in direct violation of the new roblox tos guidelines) pic.twitter.com/JLV0LcAHeh

— SeaThePirates (@SeaThePirates) October 6, 2021

It will be interesting to see if the devs respond to the fan backlash or continue on this course.

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