Redefining the Criminal Liability of Online Gaming Platform Administrators Through the Lens of Social Reaction Criminology: A Proposed Framework for Iran

Abstract

The expansion of online gaming and the emergence of large-scale interactive platforms have generated novel challenges in the field of criminal law. Among these challenges, determining the scope of the criminal liability of online gaming platform administrators has become a significant issue within the Iranian legal system. The complex structure of these platforms and their interactive nature have created environments in which harmful or criminal behaviors may emerge. However, legislative gaps and ambiguities within existing legal provisions have made the attribution of liability to platform administrators particularly difficult. This study was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method and relied on library-based sources. It examines the issue of the criminal liability of online gaming platform administrators from the perspective of social reaction criminology. Furthermore, through a comparative approach, selected legal experiences concerning the regulation of digital platforms are analyzed. The objective of this approach is to provide a comprehensive examination of the theoretical and legal foundations of administrators’ liability within interactive digital environments. The findings indicate that the current legal framework in Iran is inadequate for addressing the complexities of online gaming environments. The difficulty of proving administrators’ knowledge and fault, as well as the absence of clear criteria for evaluating supervisory obligations, constitute some of the most significant challenges in this area. The findings also demonstrate that gaming platforms are gradually becoming part of broader mechanisms of social control in cyberspace. This development highlights the growing necessity of redefining the role and responsibilities of platform administrators. Based on the findings, a specific legal framework should be developed to regulate the activities of online gaming platforms, with clearly defined supervisory duties for administrators. The adoption of a risk-management approach and the differentiation of various forms of liability—including liability arising from knowledge, negligent supervision, and participation in harmful conduct—may provide effective solutions. In addition, the implementation of a smart regulatory model combining legislation, platform self-regulation, and public oversight may contribute to balancing the growth of the gaming industry with the protection of users.