Russia and Turkey Ban Discord Over Legal Violations and Child Safety Concerns

Oct 8, 2024, 11:06 PM

Russia has banned the instant messaging platform Discord for failing to comply with local laws. The decision, announced by Roskomnadzor, Russia's telecommunications regulator, cited violations related to anti-terror legislation and the failure to remove nearly 1,000 illegal items flagged by authorities. This move follows a broader trend of Russia tightening control over internet services, with Discord being the first Western social platform to be blocked in the country. The ban has sparked backlash from various users, including military bloggers who relied on Discord for streaming drone footage in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Some users reported accessing Discord via VPN, and Downdetector data confirmed access issues. TASS also reported the ban, and Justice Minister Tunç stated that Turkey blocked access to Discord due to concerns over child safety and allegations of misuse for cyberbullying, grooming, and other criminal activities targeting minors.