Another country blocks Roblox after accusing it of "LGBT propaganda"
The country, which has already placed restrictions on several US applications, has now banned a popular kids' gaming platform.
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The country, which has already placed restrictions on several US applications, has now banned a popular kids' gaming platform.
- Russia has banned access to the popular kids’ gaming platform Roblox, accusing it of spreading “LGBT propaganda.”
- The country has already imposed restrictions on applications such as Duolingo, WhatsApp, and Signal. Recently, it has also banned Snapchat and FaceTime.
- In August, Russia released its state-backed messenger app, Max.
Russia blocked access to Roblox, a US-based online gaming platform.
The reason cited is based on the country's accusation that the platform distributes extremist materials and “LGBT propaganda.”
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According to Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor), the decision was made due to Roblox being “rife with inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children.”
Russia isn’t the first country to ban Roblox, which has around 380 million monthly users worldwide. Countries such as Iraq and Turkey also banned the platform over concerns about children being used by online predators.
In a comment to Reuters, Roblox said it respects “the local laws and regulations” of the countries it works in, and that it believes its platform provides users with “positive space for learning, creation and meaningful connection.”
The message also shared that Roblox values safety and thus takes the necessary measures to prevent and catch dangerous content.
Russia blocks Snapchat, FaceTime
Roblox isn’t the only platform that has been under the country’s scrutiny lately.
Following the Roblox ban, Russia also blocked Snapchat and Apple’s FaceTime, two communication platforms. The reason for this ban is that both applications were used “to organize and carry out terrorist acts,” shares the state via Bloomberg.
Previously, Duolingo, the language learning app, had to make changes to its content by removing any LGBTQ+ related references to comply with Russia’s “LGBT propaganda” laws.
The country also began limiting calls via WhatsApp and Signal due to these platforms' refusal to share information with law enforcement in cases involving fraud and terrorism. Recently, Russia threatened to ban WhatsApp for this reason.
In August, Russia released its state-backed messenger app called Max, which is pre-installed in new smartphones. Recently, the same idea was “borrowed” by India, which launched a state-owned cybersecurity app that cannot be removed from the device.
“Right ban for the wrong reasons:” users react to Roblox ban in Russia
The news about the Roblox ban sparked an online discussion.
“Right ban for the wrong reasons,” shared one user, with many sharing a similar thought.
While some netizens think that Roblox could be used as a platform for predators to groom kids, the country uses the “LGBT propaganda” as the reason for banning the platform.
“[...] It was pointed out that the LGBT propaganda angle was secondary. The main reason is that Roblox is having pedos grooming kids and the company refusing to do anything about it,” explained one netizen, continuing, “Russia isn’t alone in this, and, remarkably, they are right in this case.”
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