Russia bans Roblox under LGBTQ+ 'propaganda' crackdown

Russia's government has blocked access to popular gaming platform Roblox, citing concerns over child safety, terrorism and LGBTQ+ content.

The country's media regulator Roskomnadzor claimed the US game, which has an estimate user base of 85.3 million daily active players, is inundated with "calls for violent crimes, and LGBT propaganda" and "inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children".

Activity the media regulator flagged included scenarios simulating terrorist attacks and gambling, LGBTQ+ content – which is defined as 'extremist' under Russian law – and the reported sexual harassment of children on the platform.

A spokesperson for Roblox said the platform respects the laws in countries where it operates but believes it creates a "positive space for learning, creation and meaningful connection for everyone".

"We have a deep commitment to safety and we have a robust set of proactive and preventative safety measures designed to catch and prevent harmful content on our platform," a spokesperson told the BBC .

Russia is not the first country to ban Roblox, with countries such as China, Turkey and Qatar all having their own bans.

Under Russia's anti-LGBTQ+ “propaganda” law, which saw the so-called  “international LGBT movement”  – which does not exist as an organisation – labelled as “extremist” in 2023, LGBTQ+ rights have been  near totally eroded .

Since then, the propaganda law has seen a man  fined for joking  he started the LGBTQ+ movement, queer  bar staff  and  venue owners  jailed,  more than 50 club-goers detained  at a club night, language-learning app Duolingo  forced to remove its inclusive content , Elton John's AIDS Foundation banned , children’s cartoon  My Little Pony labelled 18+  and a gay student  expelled from university for posting make-up videos .

Reports have also arisen of people being thrown into jail for being believed to be involved with the LGBTQ+ community,  held in abhorrent conditions  and  dying whilst in custody .