Russia’s communications regulator has banned the instant messaging platform Discord for violations of Russian law, adding to a growing list of American tech firms whose services are now restricted in Russia.
“The access to Discord is being restricted in connection of violation of requirements of Russian laws, compliance with which is required to prevent the use of the messenger for terrorist and extremist services, recruitment of citizens to commit them, for drug sales, and in connection with unlawful information posting,” wrote Russia’s news agency TASS.
Discord, based in San Francisco, has 30 million to 40 million users in Russia, about 4% of its total users. Last week, Reuters reported that Russia’s regulator, Roskomnadzor, had ordered Discord to take down about 1,000 items which together contained “child pornography, calls for extremism, the involvement of minors in illegal activity, calls for suicide, LGBT propaganda, and pro-drug content.”
In the past, when the platform failed to remove the said items, a small fine was levied: 3.5 million roubles ($37,493). It seems the regulator has had enough this time, with Discord now joining the banned Meta Platforms Inc. and its Facebook and Instagram products.
Elon Musk’s X Corp. is also banned, a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The country’s effort to keep its citizens’ eyes off pro-Western content also led to YouTube being blocked after first having its videos slowed down by 70% for the allegation that YouTube “violates and ignores the law with impunity.”
The latest ban is not only a problem for the millions of gamers and programmers who use Discord. It’s being reported that the Russian military is also upset, with Discord reportedly being the go-to app for drone operators on the frontlines of the war. A Russian military blogger wrote, “The Defense Ministry isn’t seeking to provide the troops with any alternative.”
As Discord’s lights were turned off in Russia, the citizens of Turkey were also left without the app after its own regulator cited “child sexual abuse and obscenity” as the reason for the ban.
“We are aware of reports of Discord being unreachable in Russia and Turkey,” Discord said in response. “Our team is investigating these reports at this time.”