In a significant move, both Russia and Turkey have imposed restrictions on the messaging platform Discord, citing the company’s failure to comply with local regulations. The San Francisco-based firm acknowledged the situation, stating on its website that it is currently investigating reports of accessibility issues in these countries.
Russia’s internet regulatory body, Roskomnadzor, announced that Discord’s access was curtailed due to alleged violations of local laws. The regulator claimed that the platform had been misused for activities deemed harmful, including terrorism, extremist recruitment, and drug trafficking. Data from internet monitoring organization NetBlocks corroborated these claims, confirming that Discord was indeed restricted across various internet service providers in Russia.
Confirmed: Live metrics show messaging platform Discord has been restricted on multiple internet providers in #Russia; the measure comes as telecoms regulator Roskomnadzor announces that the service is in violation of Russian laws relating to “terrorist and extremist” content pic.twitter.com/EPijFmCjY7— NetBlocks (@netblocks) October 8, 2024
Historically, Russian users have encountered challenges accessing Discord. Just last month, a Moscow court imposed a fine of ,000 on the company for its refusal to remove content deemed “forbidden,” a penalty that Russian authorities claim has gone unheeded. With an estimated user base of 40 million in Russia, Discord has become an essential tool for education and corporate communication, particularly favored by gamers for its real-time voice chat capabilities. The platform’s relatively lenient moderation has also made it a venue for various activities during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, including the sharing of drone footage and coordination of military operations.
The ban has ignited discontent among Russian military bloggers and personnel, who argue that the absence of reliable communication tools on the frontlines could exacerbate casualties and equipment losses. Additionally, some lawmakers have voiced their concerns, emphasizing the platform’s utility for students and educators, and lamenting the lack of viable local alternatives.
On developer forums in Russia, discussions are already underway regarding potential methods to circumvent the imposed restrictions.
Turkey ban
In Turkey, the ban on Discord followed a court ruling that accused the platform of inadequate cooperation with local authorities. The country’s telecommunications regulator highlighted that Discord had been linked to serious offenses, including child abuse, blackmail, and online harassment.
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding youth and children, asserting the need to eliminate harmful content from social media and the internet. The decision to restrict Discord came in the wake of public outrage following a tragic incident involving the murder of two women by a young man in Istanbul, with reports indicating that some content on Discord had glorified the violence.
Both Turkey and Russia share a history of limiting access to social media platforms under the pretext of security concerns. Earlier this year, Turkey blocked the popular gaming platform Roblox, citing fears of content that could exploit children. Meanwhile, Russia has taken similar actions, including throttling YouTube’s loading speeds and blocking the encrypted messaging app Signal for non-compliance with anti-terrorism laws.
As the landscape of digital communication continues to evolve, many Western companies, including Microsoft and Notion, have exited the Russian market in response to sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. The ongoing developments surrounding Discord’s accessibility in Russia and Turkey highlight the complex interplay between technology, regulation, and user rights in today’s digital age.
