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Russia restricts access to Roblox gaming platform
Russian authorities have cut off access to Roblox, citing risks to minors from extremist material and inappropriate content, including LGBT-related themes.
Regulator's justification
Roskomnadzor, Russia's media oversight agency, stated the platform had become a hub for content harmful to children's moral and spiritual growth. Local reports highlighted concerns over terrorism-related simulations and LGBT content, which Russia classifies as extremist.
The agency also pointed to instances of sexual harassment and the sharing of explicit images involving minors on Roblox servers.
Platform's response and safety measures
A Roblox spokesperson told the BBC the company adheres to local laws and maintains a "positive space" for learning. The platform employs proactive tools to detect and remove harmful content, the spokesperson added.
"We have a deep commitment to safety and a robust set of proactive and preventative measures designed to catch and prevent harmful content."
Roblox spokesperson
Global scrutiny of Roblox
Roblox's open creation system, which lets users design and share games, has made oversight difficult. The platform ranks among Russia's most downloaded mobile games in recent years.
Other nations have also raised alarms. Turkey previously banned Roblox over child safety concerns, while Singapore investigated the platform in 2023 after a teenager accessed ISIS-themed servers. In the U.S., Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Roblox last month for allegedly ignoring safety laws and misleading parents about risks to children.
Recent policy changes
This month, Roblox announced it would prohibit minors from chatting with adult strangers, addressing long-standing criticism of its networking features.
