The Russian government has reversed its decision to ban Roblox after receiving thousands of complaints from children. The popular US game is now accessible again following a six-month blockade.
Background of the Ban
In December, Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor blocked Roblox, accusing the platform of containing 'inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children.' The ban sparked widespread backlash, including a rare protest in Siberia and an official petition demanding the restoration of the game.
Children's Response
The pro-Kremlin Safe Internet League reported receiving 63,000 letters from children opposing the ban. According to The Moscow Times, about half of these letters indicated that children wanted to leave Russia due to the block. The wave of complaints reached the highest levels of government, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirming that President Vladimir Putin had received a significant number of appeals.
Government U-Turn
The Russian Ministry of Media and Communications announced today: 'Roblox has fully complied with Russian legislation to ensure user safety. The online gaming service is once again available throughout Russia.' The ministry added that Roblox has implemented measures to protect children, including age-based access restrictions and a commitment to combat inappropriate content.
Broader Context
The initial ban cited concerns over terrorism-related content and information about LGBTQ+ issues, which can be classified as extremist under Russian law. Prior to the ban, Roblox had already restricted chat features to prevent adult strangers from contacting children. Russia has also restricted access to other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube.
Meanwhile, the UK government is reportedly considering measures to prevent children from communicating with strangers on gaming platforms.
