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Russia Blocks Roblox, Citing Extremism and LGBT 'Propaganda'

The ban reflects a Kremlin crackdown under broadened anti‑LGBT extremism laws.

Overview

  • Roskomnadzor ordered a nationwide block on December 3, calling Roblox “rife with inappropriate content” and accusing it of distributing extremist materials and LGBT propaganda.
  • The regulator alleged sexual harassment of children, coercion to share intimate images, gambling, and simulations that justify terrorism or violent acts on the platform.
  • Roblox said it respects local laws and maintains a deep commitment to safety through proactive moderation, AI tools, and age‑based protections.
  • The action extends Russia’s pattern of restricting Western platforms under security and morality statutes, following limits on services like WhatsApp and Telegram this year.
  • Reports indicate a spike in Russian interest in VPNs to regain access, though the effectiveness and durability of such workarounds remain unclear.