Top gaming platform set for return as Russia revisits ban

Russian authorities are preparing to lift the ban on Roblox, one of the world's most popular online gaming platforms, after widespread public criticism and complaints from young users.

The Moscow Times reports that Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development has appealed to law enforcement agencies to support the unblocking of the platform following protests by children and growing dissatisfaction with the restrictions.

The issue reportedly gained significant attention after Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the Safe Internet League, said she had received thousands of messages from young Roblox users objecting to the ban.

In a statement the ministry said: “The Russian side has received guarantees from Roblox regarding the implementation of a comprehensive set of measures on the platform to provide additional protection for children from harmful and dangerous information, as well as from undesirable behavior by other users.”

Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has also supported the proposal to restore access to the platform.

Under an agreement reached between Russian authorities and the US-based company, access to games on Roblox in Russia will be regulated according to age categories, including Roblox Kids and Roblox Select.

Roskomnadzor blocked Roblox on December 3, citing the distribution of content of an “extremist nature” and the “promotion of LGBT content.” The regulator also argued that children using the platform could be exposed to sexual harassment, including from pedophiles.

Following the ban, Mizulina said she received approximately 63,000 letters from children between the ages of eight and 16. According to her, around half of those who wrote expressed a desire to leave Russia.

The Kremlin also acknowledged receiving a large number of complaints regarding the restrictions. “I can confirm that there have indeed been a great many appeals from children on this issue,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Russia remains one of Roblox’s largest markets, ranking among the top three countries globally in terms of users, with around 6.8 million unique monthly visits. In 2023, Roblox became the most downloaded mobile game in the country.

The platform allows users to create their own games, explore content developed by other players across a wide range of genres, and communicate with one another in a vast virtual environment.

According to Roblox, approximately 40% of its users are under the age of 13, while the platform attracts around 100 million daily users worldwide.

By Vafa Guliyeva