Russia Bans Discord Over Illegal Content Concerns
Discord, the popular communication platform favored by gamers and online communities, has been officially blocked in Russia. This move comes after a long-standing dispute between the company and Russian authorities over the platform’s handling of illegal content.
While initially known as a haven for gamers, Discord’s versatile features, including group chats, voice calls, and screen sharing, have attracted a diverse user base, transforming it into a social media hub. However, this popularity has brought it under the scrutiny of Roskomnadzor (RKN), Russia’s telecommunications regulator.
“The access to the 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,” Russia’s news agency, TASS shared in a statement.
The regulator had previously demanded the removal of 947 illegal materials, channels, or groups, but Discord allegedly ignored the request.
This isn’t the first clash between Discord and Russian authorities. In 2023, a Russian court imposed a 6 million ruble fine on the company for similar content violations, a penalty that Discord reportedly disregarded.
Observers believe that Discord, anticipating the ban, saw little incentive to comply with Russian demands. The company likely recognized that the ban was inevitable, regardless of its actions.
Russian internet service providers have now blacklisted Discord’s domains and IP addresses, making it inaccessible to users within the country. Those wishing to continue using the platform will have to rely on VPNs or proxy servers to bypass the restrictions.
Discord joins a growing list of Western online platforms banned in Russia, including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). YouTube also faces limited access within the country.
