Roskomnadzor has announced a nationwide block on the Roblox platform, claiming the service failed to stop the spread of “LGBT propaganda,” extremist materials, and violent content. According to the regulator, some Roblox rooms allegedly allowed users to simulate “terrorist actions,” stage school attacks, and participate in virtual gambling.
Russian authorities added that Roblox’s moderation team had previously admitted it could not block harmful content effectively, following warnings issued in November.
Roblox has a massive audience: over 1 billion downloads on Android and more than 16 million ratings on the Apple App Store. The new restriction effectively cuts millions of Russian children and teens from the platform.
In response, Roblox said it “respects local laws” and maintains “robust proactive safety systems” designed to detect and prevent harmful content.
The decision aligns with Russia’s broader policy of restricting foreign online services. In recent years, the country has banned Viber, Signal, and prohibited government agencies from using Discord, Microsoft Teams, Telegram, WhatsApp, and WeChat.
Russia also banned several VPN services in 2020–2021, with reports suggesting that WhatsApp could soon face a nationwide ban as well.
The Roblox ban is another example of Russia’s increasing internet control, emphasizing censorship, digital isolation, and regulation of youth-oriented platforms. The move reinforces the country’s trend toward tighter control of online content and communication.
