Russia has imposed a ban on the renowned gaming platform, Roblox, labeling it as LGBT propaganda. This announcement was made by Roskomnadzor, the Russian authority responsible for overseeing the media sector. They stated that the decision to block access to the platform in Russia came as a result of its inappropriate content. They explained that game experiences on Roblox may have a negative influence on the moral and spiritual development of children.
Roblox is an internationally recognised platform, hosting a massive number of daily active users, with numbers surpassing 151.1 million worldwide. Offering a vast number of player-created gaming experiences, Roblox has produced blockbuster games such as Steal a Brainrot and Grow a Garden, popular titles that have drawn huge player counts than any found on other gaming platforms like Steam. It is, however, not specified which among the plethora of games on Roblox has sparked this controversy leading to the prohibition.
Over the years, Russia has introduced stringent policies against content containing LGBT themes. Back in 2013, an act known as the Law for the Purpose of Protecting Children from Information Advocating a Denial of Traditional Family Values was enforced. This law essentially labels LGBT content as being contrary to the traditional norms and values held by Russian society.
In response to the ban, a Roblox spokesperson articulated their respect for localized laws in countries of operation. They expressed their belief that Roblox is an environment that fosters learning, creation, and meaningful interactions. A deep commitment was described towards the safety of the platform, alongside proactive measures for curbing any harmful content.
Russia is not the sole country to impose a ban on Roblox access, previously Iraq and Turkey had also outlawed the game citing reasons related to child-safety fears. Roblox has frequently found itself under scrutiny regarding user safety, especially considering their primary user demographic being under 18. Amid allegations and growing numbers of users, Roblox has adopted several advanced safety measures, including facial recognition for age checks in chat communications. The safety initiative follows numerous reports highlighting instances of adult users contacting and grooming minors on the platform.
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