Photo by TASS/DPA
October 8, 2024
Discord, a messenger that was initially popular among gamers, was blocked in Russia, but during the war in Ukraine it began to be actively used by military personnel. Roskomnadzor claims that the administration of the messenger violates the requirements of Russian legislation and does not remove “illegal materials.”
How reported in Roskomnadzor, access to Discord is limited “to prevent the use of the messenger for terrorist and extremist purposes, the recruitment of citizens to commit them, the sale of drugs, in connection with the posting of illegal information.”
“The authorities called on Discord to remove illegal content, but the response was inaction, which led to the blocking,” Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, told TASS.
Russian users began noticing problems with Discord in mid-September. On Tuesday, even before Roskomnadzor announced the block, the number of complaints increased sharply, especially from the eastern part of Russia.
On September 27, the Kommersant newspaper wrote that the messenger could be blocked “in the coming days” due to a violation of Russian law.
On September 30, a court in Moscow fined Discord 3.5 million rubles for “failure to remove prohibited information,” and the next day Roskomnadzor said it had sent the messenger administration demands to remove 947 “illegal materials.”
According to the department, these materials included child pornography and calls for extremism, but “a number of pages” were never deleted.
Discord was originally created for gamers and eSports players, as it allows you to exchange voice messages in real time.
With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the platform began to position itself as more universal, and the number of its users increased sharply. Among them are many Russian teenagers.
The messenger is also popular among military personnel on both sides of the front in Ukraine. On the use of Discord in command posts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to manage military operations of the media wrote in the summer of 2023.
In addition, notes Meduza (declared an undesirable organization in Russia and a “foreign agent”), the messenger interface can be regularly seen in videos filmed at the headquarters of units and formations of the Russian army.
Russia’s Discord Ban: A Move to Censor Online Content
In a move that has left many gamers and online communities in Russia reeling, the country’s communications authority, Roskomnadzor, has announced the blocking of Discord, a popular messenger app initially designed for gamers but has since been used by various groups, including military personnel. This decision comes after repeated warnings from Russian authorities to Discord’s administrators to remove what they deem “illegal materials” from the platform.
According to reports from Roskomnadzor [[1]], access to Discord is being restricted to prevent the use of the messenger for “terrorist and extremist purposes, the recruitment of citizens to commit them, the sale of drugs, in connection with the posting of illegal information.” However, this move has raised concerns about censorship and the erosion of online freedoms in Russia.
Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, stated that “the authorities called on Discord to remove illegal content, but the response was inaction, which led to the blocking” [[Source]]. This statement highlights the Russian government’s growing concern over online content and their desire to exert greater control over the internet.
The news of the Discord ban has sent shockwaves through online communities, with many Russian users taking to social media to express their disappointment and frustration. The move has also been seen as an attempt to silence online dissent and limit the spread of information that is critical of the Russian government.
In a surprising turn of events, Turkey has followed suit, restricting access to Discord due to concerns over misuse related to child safety and cyberbullying [[2]]. This move has raised concerns about the global implications of Russia’s ban and the potential for a ripple effect on online freedoms worldwide.
The motivations behind Russia’s decision to ban Discord are multifaceted, and it is essential to consider the broader context of online censorship in Russia. In recent years, the Russian government has taken steps to increase its control over the internet, including the passage of laws that require internet companies to store data on Russian servers and provide decrypted messages to law enforcement agencies.
The blocking of Discord is a clear example of this trend, with the Russian government using its powers to limit online content that they deem threatening to national security or public order. While the move may have some legitimate concerns about online safety, it raises disturbing questions about the limits of online freedom in Russia and the world.
the blocking of Discord in Russia is a significant event that highlights the growing tension between the government and online communities. As online freedoms continue to come under attack worldwide, it is essential to remain vigilant and protect the rights of internet users to free and open communication.
References:
[[1]]Daili Sabah (October 8, 2024) – Russia bans social platform Discord over violation of law – https://www.dailysabah.com/business/tech/russia-bans-social-platform-discord-over-violation-of-law
[[2]]Crypto Briefing (October 8, 2024) – Turkey Discord Ban Restriction – https://cryptobriefing.com/turkey-discord-ban-restriction/
[[3]]Crypto Briefing (October 8, 2024) – Russia Blocks Discord Fine – https://cryptobriefing.com/russia-blocks-discord-fine/