Russia’s telecoms regulator, Roskomnadzor, has taken decisive action by banning Discord, citing the platform’s inability to prevent its use for illicit activities, including terrorism, drug trafficking, and the dissemination of illegal information. The regulator expressed concerns that Discord had become a tool for criminals, particularly after failing to comply with a directive issued on October 1, which demanded the removal of nearly a thousand pieces of content deemed inappropriate.
This latest move is part of a broader trend in Russia, where the Kremlin has increasingly targeted Western social media platforms since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook have already faced similar fates. Interestingly, the ban on Discord has sparked criticism from pro-military bloggers, who argue that Russian forces have utilized the app for battlefield coordination, leaving soldiers without an effective communication alternative.
Following Russia’s lead, Turkey’s BTK communications authority swiftly enacted a nationwide ban on Discord, prompted by a court ruling in Ankara. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc emphasized the need to protect children from potential online threats, stating, “We are determined to protect our young people and our children… from harmful and criminal publications on social media and the internet.” This decision comes in light of an ongoing investigation into allegations that some users on Discord were blackmailing minors into sharing explicit images.
In addition to the concerns raised in Turkey, the platform has faced scrutiny for content that glorified a recent double murder of two young women in Istanbul, further alarming regulators.
What other regulatory scrutiny is Discord under?
In the United States, Discord has found itself under the microscope of the FBI, particularly in cases involving the grooming of minors and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. Reports indicate that over the past six years, there have been 35 prosecutions related to kidnapping, grooming, or sexual assault linked to the platform. Furthermore, an alarming 165 cases of sextortion—where minors are coerced into sharing explicit images—have also been associated with Discord.
The platform has previously faced backlash for its role in facilitating a white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, which resulted in violence. More recently, the perpetrator of the 2022 Buffalo supermarket shooting had shared his violent intentions in a private Discord server prior to the attack. Additionally, a significant leak of classified U.S. military documents concerning the war in Ukraine was published on Discord, raising further concerns about the platform’s security and content moderation practices.
Regulatory bodies in Germany and France have voiced their apprehensions regarding Discord’s data collection methods and user privacy, particularly for younger users. In November 2022, French regulators imposed a fine of €800,000 (5,000) on the platform for failing to adhere to the European Union’s data protection regulations. As the EU’s Digital Services Act mandates stricter content moderation, Discord and other major social media networks are now facing increased scrutiny.
In the U.S., several states have enacted legislation aimed at enhancing online protections for children, which directly impacts Discord. These measures include more stringent age verification processes and the safeguarding of personal data.
What exactly is Discord and why is it so popular?
Launched in May 2015, Discord was initially designed to facilitate communication among gamers. Since then, it has evolved into a platform that boasts over half a billion downloads and approximately 150 million active users. The pandemic-induced lockdowns prompted Discord’s management to broaden its focus, welcoming a diverse array of online communities.
The platform enables voice and video calls alongside text messaging, allowing users to share content and engage in discussions within both private and public virtual spaces. Its most popular server, dedicated to the AI platform Midjourney, has attracted 20 million followers.
Discord’s unique integration of voice and text communication allows users to seamlessly transition between chatting and voice calls, enhancing the user experience. Unlike other messaging apps that offer single-threaded groups, Discord allows for the creation of multiple channels within a single group, fostering more organized discussions.
This flexibility has made Discord a hub for various counterculture movements, including incels, hacking communities, and cryptocurrency enthusiasts. However, the platform has also become a breeding ground for controversial political discourse and extremist propaganda, largely due to its relatively lax content moderation policies compared to competitors like Facebook, Instagram, and X.
In response to growing concerns, Discord has asserted that it has made significant strides in strengthening its measures against online harms, particularly those affecting younger users.
Edited by: Uwe Hessler
