Russia restricts access to American children's gaming platform Roblox

Russia has restricted access to the U.S.-based gaming platform Roblox, alleging that it hosts extremist content and disseminates what authorities described as "LGBT propaganda." The decision was announced by the state communications regulator Roskomnadzor, which stated that the platform contains material deemed harmful to the moral and spiritual well-being of minors.

Roblox, which reported an average of 151.5 million daily users in the third quarter of the year, has previously faced restrictions in countries such as Iraq and Turkey due to concerns involving predators targeting children. The company says it prioritizes user safety through artificial intelligence systems, moderation teams, and cooperation with both law enforcement and child protection specialists.

Roskomnadzor has previously imposed limitations on foreign technology and media services for allegedly hosting content that violates Russian regulations. Last year, the language-learning service Duolingo removed references to what Russia classifies as "non-traditional sexual relations" after warnings about LGBT content. In 2023, Russian authorities labeled what they termed the "international LGBT movement" as extremist, allowing for criminal prosecution of supporters and LGBT individuals.

Earlier this year, Russia also introduced restrictions on certain features of WhatsApp and Telegram, claiming the platforms failed to provide information to investigators handling cases related to fraud and terrorism. Roskomnadzor recently cautioned that WhatsApp could face a full ban in the country.

Author: Logan Reeves