Petition to Remove Roblox CEO Explodes 30K+ Signatures March 2026

What is the Roblox CEO petition about? A Change.org petition demanding the removal of Roblox CEO David Baszucki has gained over 30,000 signatures in just four days, sparked by the platform’s controversial ban of YouTuber Schlep who was hunting child predators.
As someone who’s been covering gaming controversies for years, I’ve rarely seen community backlash escalate this quickly. The petition, created by MrMhGaming on August 10, 2026, represents a boiling point in tensions between Roblox Corporation and its community over child safety priorities. What started as outrage over a single creator’s ban has transformed into a full-scale revolt questioning the platform’s leadership and values.
| Petition Type | Signatures/Target | Key Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Community Petition | 30,000+ (growing) | Remove CEO David Baszucki |
| Congressional Campaign | 1 million (target) | Platform safety reforms |
| Developer Protest | August 15, 2026 | #FreeSchlep solidarity |
The Schlep Ban That Ignited a Firestorm
The controversy erupted when Roblox permanently banned YouTuber Schlep (@RealSchlep), who has 640,000 subscribers and dedicates his channel to exposing child predators on gaming platforms. Having watched Schlep’s content myself, I can attest that his methods, while unconventional, have led to multiple arrests and raised crucial awareness about online safety.
What makes Roblox’s response particularly shocking is the legal escalation. Not only did they ban Schlep from their platform, but they also issued a cease and desist letter threatening legal action if he continues his investigations. This aggressive stance against someone ostensibly protecting children has left me, and many in the gaming community, questioning the company’s priorities.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Roblox. Just days before the Schlep controversy, a family filed a lawsuit alleging their 10-year-old daughter was abducted by someone she met through the platform. As a gamer who grew up with online multiplayer experiences, I understand the delicate balance between open communication and safety, but Roblox’s response suggests they’re tipping the scales in the wrong direction.
The Creator Community Rallies Behind Schlep
I’ve been following the creator response closely, and it’s nothing short of remarkable. JiDion, with his massive YouTube following, created a support video that’s already reached millions. MoistCr1TiKal, known for his measured takes on gaming controversies, called Roblox’s actions “backwards” – strong words from someone who typically avoids inflammatory rhetoric.
Perhaps most significantly, KreekCraft, one of Roblox’s biggest content creators and a member of their Star Program, is openly discussing an exodus from the platform. When creators who’ve built their careers on Roblox’s creative tools and content sharing features are considering jumping ship, you know the situation is critical.
Understanding the Dual Petition Movement
What sets this controversy apart from typical gaming platform disputes is the emergence of two distinct but related petition movements. Let me break down what’s happening on multiple fronts.
The Community Petition: Grassroots Gaming Activism
MrMhGaming’s Change.org petition is a masterclass in community organizing. The petition doesn’t just demand Baszucki’s removal; it presents a detailed case about the platform’s alleged negligence in protecting young users. Having read through the comments myself, I’m struck by how many are from parents who’ve discovered concerning interactions their children had on the platform.
The petition specifically accuses Baszucki of:
- Allowing predators to groom children on the platform
- Prioritizing profit over child safety measures
- Silencing those who attempt to expose safety issues
- Creating a culture where reporting predators leads to punishment rather than protection
Congressional Pressure: Rep. Ro Khanna’s Campaign
While the community petition gains viral momentum, Representative Ro Khanna has launched a separate campaign targeting one million signatures by August 15, 2026. This isn’t just social media activism – it’s political pressure that could lead to regulatory action.
From my experience covering gaming legislation, congressional attention typically means serious consequences. When lawmakers start questioning a gaming platform’s safety measures, it often results in hearings, investigations, and potentially new regulations that could fundamentally change how platforms like Roblox operate.
The Developer Revolt: August 15 Protest Plans
As someone deeply embedded in the Roblox creator ecosystem, I’ve been monitoring developer Discord servers and forums where an unprecedented protest is being organized. On August 15, 2026, developers plan to change their game icons to display “FREE SCHLEP” messages – a coordinated action that could affect thousands of popular games like Fisch and other top experiences.
This isn’t just symbolic. Roblox’s economy depends on developers creating engaging content. When those same developers feel compelled to protest, it threatens the very foundation of the platform’s business model. I’ve spoken with several developers (who wished to remain anonymous) who expressed feeling torn between supporting the cause and fearing retaliation from Roblox.
Roblox’s Response: Damage Control or Doubling Down?
Roblox Corporation’s official response has been surprisingly tone-deaf, in my opinion. Their spokesperson stated that Schlep violated their Terms of Service by “interfering with moderation processes” and that proper channels exist for reporting safety concerns. This bureaucratic response misses the point entirely – Schlep’s videos showed that these “proper channels” weren’t effectively protecting children.
The company points to their safety policies and moderation tools, but as someone who’s researched platform safety extensively, I know that policies mean nothing if they’re not effectively enforced. The fact that Schlep was able to identify and expose multiple predators suggests that Roblox’s existing systems have significant gaps.
David Baszucki’s Silence Speaks Volumes
What’s particularly striking is CEO David Baszucki’s silence on the matter. His Twitter/X account, typically active with platform updates and community engagement, has gone quiet since the controversy erupted. In my years covering gaming industry crises, I’ve learned that CEO silence often indicates either legal counsel advising against statements or internal disagreement about how to respond.
Baszucki built Roblox from a physics simulation tool into one of the world’s largest gaming platforms, worth billions of dollars. But with that success comes responsibility, especially when your primary user base includes millions of children. The petition isn’t just attacking his leadership – it’s questioning whether corporate growth has overshadowed user safety.
The Wider Gaming Industry Implications
This controversy extends far beyond Roblox. As someone who covers the gaming industry broadly, I see this as a watershed moment for how gaming platforms handle safety concerns and whistleblowers.
Setting Dangerous Precedents
If Roblox successfully silences Schlep through legal action, it could discourage other safety advocates from exposing problems on gaming platforms. I’ve already seen creators in diverse gaming experiences on Roblox and other platforms expressing concern about whether their own safety-focused content could result in bans or legal threats.
The gaming industry has always struggled with balancing open communication features with child safety. Platforms like Minecraft, Fortnite, and Among Us have all faced similar challenges. But Roblox’s aggressive response to someone exposing actual predators sets a troubling precedent that prioritizes corporate liability over child protection.
The Creator Economy Under Threat
From my perspective as someone who understands the creator economy, this controversy highlights a fundamental tension. Creators like Schlep provide valuable services – essentially free security testing and safety monitoring. When platforms punish rather than partner with these creators, they’re shooting themselves in the foot.
Many creators I’ve spoken with are reconsidering their relationship with Roblox. Some are exploring alternative platforms, while others are demanding better creator protections and clearer guidelines about what constitutes acceptable safety advocacy. The platform’s response to this crisis could determine whether top creators continue investing in complex user-generated games or take their talents elsewhere.
Community Sentiment: A Platform at a Crossroads
I’ve been monitoring community reactions across Reddit, Twitter/X, Discord, and gaming forums, and the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative toward Roblox’s handling of the situation. The #FreeSchlep hashtag has gone viral, with even non-gamers expressing outrage over a platform punishing someone for protecting children.
Parent Groups Mobilize
What’s particularly noteworthy is the mobilization of parent groups who typically aren’t engaged with gaming controversies. Facebook parenting groups that I monitor have been sharing warnings about Roblox, with many parents saying they’re removing the game from their children’s devices until safety concerns are addressed.
One parent’s comment that stuck with me: “I thought Roblox was just digital Legos. I had no idea predators were using it to contact my kids.” This lack of awareness about platform risks is partly Roblox’s responsibility to address, not silence.
The Reddit Revolt
On Reddit, the response has been fascinating to watch. r/roblox, typically a fan community, has seen heated debates with moderators struggling to balance discussion with platform rules. r/gaming has been unanimously supportive of Schlep, with several posts reaching the front page of Reddit.
The gaming community’s ability to organize and amplify issues through social media has grown tremendously. When I started covering gaming, controversies stayed within niche communities. Now, they can reach mainstream media within hours, as this petition has demonstrated.
What Happens Next: Potential Outcomes
Based on my experience covering similar gaming industry crises, I see several potential outcomes:
Scenario 1: Roblox Reverses Course
The mounting pressure could force Roblox to reverse Schlep’s ban and drop legal threats. This would require them to admit error, potentially opening them to liability concerns. However, it might be the only way to salvage their reputation among creators and parents.
Scenario 2: Leadership Changes
If the petition continues gaining momentum and congressional pressure intensifies, Roblox’s board might consider leadership changes. While removing a founding CEO is rare, it’s not unprecedented when child safety is at stake. The board has a fiduciary duty to protect shareholder value, and this controversy is already impacting stock discussions.
Scenario 3: Regulatory Intervention
The most likely outcome, in my opinion, is increased regulatory scrutiny. Whether or not Baszucki remains CEO, this controversy has put a spotlight on gaming platform safety that won’t disappear quickly. Expect congressional hearings, potentially new legislation, and increased pressure on all gaming platforms to demonstrate child safety measures.
Learning from Gaming History: Similar Controversies
This isn’t the first time a gaming platform has faced backlash over safety concerns. Looking at history provides context for understanding the current situation.
Remember the Club Penguin private server controversies? Or when Minecraft servers faced scrutiny over inappropriate content? In each case, the platforms that survived and thrived were those that took community concerns seriously and implemented meaningful changes rather than silencing critics.
I’ve also seen what happens when gaming companies ignore community sentiment. The backlash can be swift and devastating, leading to user exodus, creator abandonment, and ultimately, platform decline. Roblox is at that crossroads now.
My Personal Take: A Gamer’s Perspective
As someone who grew up gaming online, I understand both the incredible opportunities and serious risks that platforms like Roblox present. I’ve made lifelong friends through online games, developed creativity through educational gaming experiences, and built valuable skills.
But I’ve also witnessed the dark side – predatory behavior, cyberbullying, and exploitation. The difference between positive and negative experiences often comes down to platform moderation and safety measures. When platforms prioritize growth over safety, everyone loses.
What frustrates me most about this situation is that Schlep was doing what Roblox should have been doing internally – actively hunting and exposing predators. Instead of partnering with him or learning from his findings, they chose legal threats and bans. It’s a missed opportunity that reveals troubling priorities.
The Platform’s Gaming Culture at Risk
Beyond safety concerns, this controversy threatens the vibrant gaming culture that makes Roblox special. I’ve covered the platform’s evolution from its early days, watching it grow into a creative powerhouse where players build everything from immersive horror experiences to educational simulations.
When platform management becomes adversarial toward its own community, it stifles the creativity and innovation that made Roblox successful. The current crisis isn’t just about one YouTuber or one CEO – it’s about whether Roblox can maintain the trust necessary for a healthy creator ecosystem.
Recent Platform Events Add Context
The timing of this controversy is particularly unfortunate given recent platform developments. Major community events like The Hatch 2025 have showcased Roblox’s potential for bringing together hundreds of games and millions of players in positive experiences.
These successful community initiatives demonstrate what Roblox can achieve when it partners with creators rather than antagonizing them. The contrast between collaborative events and punitive responses to safety advocates couldn’t be starker.
The Road Ahead for Roblox
Roblox stands at a critical juncture. The petition’s momentum shows no signs of slowing, with signature counts increasing hourly. The August 15 congressional deadline and developer protest could create a perfect storm of pressure that forces dramatic action.
For the platform to recover, I believe they need to:
- Immediately reverse the Schlep ban and cease legal threats
- Apologize to the community for prioritizing corporate interests over child safety
- Implement transparent safety improvements with community input
- Partner with safety advocates rather than threatening them
- Consider leadership changes if current leadership can’t rebuild trust
The gaming industry is watching closely. How Roblox handles this crisis will set precedents for how all gaming platforms approach safety advocacy and community concerns. As someone deeply invested in gaming’s future, I hope they choose the path that prioritizes player safety over corporate protection.
FAQ: Understanding the Roblox CEO Petition Controversy
Why do people want the Roblox CEO to resign?
The petition demands David Baszucki’s resignation primarily due to Roblox’s ban of YouTuber Schlep, who was exposing child predators on the platform. Petitioners argue that Baszucki has prioritized profits over child safety and created a culture where those exposing safety issues face punishment rather than support.
How many signatures does the Roblox CEO petition have?
As of March 2026, the Change.org petition has surpassed 30,000 signatures and continues growing at approximately 7,500 signatures per day. Additionally, Rep. Ro Khanna’s congressional campaign aims for one million signatures by August 15, 2026.
What will happen if the petition reaches its goal?
While Change.org petitions aren’t legally binding, the massive public pressure combined with congressional attention could force Roblox’s board to consider leadership changes. More likely, it will result in increased regulatory scrutiny, potential congressional hearings, and pressure for significant platform safety reforms.
Is Schlep really banned from Roblox permanently?
Yes, Roblox permanently banned Schlep’s account and issued a cease and desist letter threatening legal action if he continues creating content about the platform. This unprecedented response to a safety advocate has fueled much of the current outrage.
What is the #FreeSchlep campaign about?
The #FreeSchlep campaign is a social media movement supporting the banned YouTuber and demanding his reinstatement. It includes support from major creators, planned developer protests on August 15, 2026, and widespread community activism across gaming platforms.
How is Roblox responding to the controversy?
Roblox’s official response has been limited to stating that Schlep violated Terms of Service and that proper channels exist for safety reports. CEO David Baszucki has remained silent on social media since the controversy began, which many interpret as either legal caution or internal disagreement about response strategy.
The petition to remove Roblox CEO David Baszucki represents more than just community outrage – it’s a defining moment for gaming platform accountability. As I continue following this story, one thing is clear: the active gaming community has found its voice, and they’re demanding change. Whether through petition signatures, developer protests, or congressional pressure, the message is unanimous: child safety must come before corporate interests.
