Russia Blocks Roblox, Says It Contains 'LGBT Propaganda'

Access to Roblox is now restricted in Russia, following authorities' classification of the platform as a hub for "LGBT propaganda."

Last night, communications regulator Roskomnadzor ordered the block of the gaming giant across Russian borders, according to reports from Reuters.

In its official statement regarding the decision, Roskomnadzor explained that it revoked access because Roblox is "rife with inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children."

Dubbed by many as the world's most popular game, boasting over 151.1 million daily active users, Roblox features countless user-created experiences — including viral hits like Grow a Garden and Steal a Brainrot, which rival or surpass the player counts of any title on Steam.

The specific titles that triggered Russia's displeasure remain unclear, though Moscow has tightened its stance on LGBT-themed content in recent years. Back in 2013, Russia enacted the Law for the Purpose of Protecting Children from Information Advocating a Denial of Traditional Family Values, aimed at labeling LGBT media as contrary to traditional Russian norms.

"We respect the local laws and regulations in the countries where we operate and believe Roblox provides a positive space for learning, creation and meaningful connection for everyone," a spokesperson told Reuters. "[Roblox has] a deep commitment to safety and we have a robust set of proactive and preventative safety measures designed to catch and prevent harmful content on our platform."

Russia is not the first nation to restrict Roblox; countries like Iraq and Turkey also banned the game, citing child safety concerns. With its rapidly growing player base — predominantly under 18 — Roblox has spent the last year rolling out new safety features after numerous reports highlighted instances of users being contacted and groomed by adults.

Last month, Roblox announced plans to mandate facial age verification for all chat communications to limit interactions between minors and adults. This update followed a recent lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, which alleges that Roblox has been "deceiving parents" and "flagrantly ignoring" child safety regulations.