Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has blocked access to the instant messaging platform Discord for allegedly violating Russian law, according to a report from the TASS news agency on Tuesday. This move makes Discord, a San Francisco-based company, the latest foreign tech platform to face restrictions in Russia.
Discord has not yet responded to requests for comment.
For several years, Russia has mandated that foreign tech platforms remove content it deems illegal, imposing regular fines when companies fail to comply. Last week, Roskomnadzor ordered Discord to remove nearly 1,000 items it classified as illegal. Discord has also previously been fined for not complying with content removal demands.
Following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia similarly blocked access to Twitter (now X) and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram.
About Discord
Launched in 2015, Discord is a popular communication platform that offers voice, video, and text chat services. It caters to diverse communities such as gamers, content creators, and social groups. With over 150 million active monthly users and 19 million servers, it has become a leading platform for real-time communication. Discord’s features include customizable servers, screen sharing, and integration with popular services like Twitch and YouTube.