There are many reasons why countries ban Roblox. Almost every second news story about the platform is how it is a breeding ground for child predators. However, Russia has banned the gaming platform for an entirely different reason. As reported by Reuters, the country's communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has distributed extremist content and “LGBT propaganda.”
“Roskomnadzor has banned access to the US Internet service Roblox due to the frequent distribution of content promoting and justifying extremist and terrorist activities, calls for violent crimes, and promoting LGBT themes,” the agency said in a translated statement (via RIA Novosti).
Roblox is banned in Russia
“Children are victims of sexual harassment, intimate photographs are forced from them, and they are forced to engage in corrupt practices and violence,” continued Roskomnadzor. “Such illegal behavior has long been widespread in both the United States and Russia.”
“We respect local laws and regulations in the countries where we operate and believe that Roblox provides a positive space for everyone to learn, create and connect meaningfully,” a Roblox representative told Reuters. They continued that the platform has a “deep commitment to security and we have a robust set of proactive and preventative security measures designed to catch and prevent harmful content on our platform”.
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It is unclear whether the platform will be allowed to relaunch in the country if it removes all LGBT content. Russia has taken a strong stance against the LGBT community, even calling it extremist.
Roblox has been in the spotlight for some time due to safety concerns for children using the platform, especially due to predators using it to contact them. The fact that it's extremely popular doesn't help either. The situation is so dire that the Louisiana state attorney general has even filed a lawsuit against the company.
The company said it has implemented new security features such as “facial age estimation technology” and ID verification and parental permission.
- issued
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September 1, 2006
- ESRB
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Juvenile/Miscellaneous Content: Discretionary advice, in-game purchases (includes random items), user interactions
- developer(s)
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Roblox Corporation
- publisher(s)
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Roblox Corporation
