- Roskomnadzor (RKN) has announced that Roblox is willing to cooperate for unblocking in Russia.
- The platform agreed to take measures “necessary to remove destructive and dangerous information” and “suspend criminal actions and communications of users.”
- A ban on Roblox was imposed by Roskomnadzor due to allegations of extremist materials, LGBT propaganda, and sexual harassment of children.
- Vladislav Grib, deputy secretary of Russia’s Civic Chamber, emphasized the importance of developing a domestic alternative to foreign digital services.
The Unblocking of Roblox in Russia
In an unexpected turn of events, the Russian regulatory body Roskomnadzor (RKN) has announced that the American gaming platform Roblox is willing to cooperate for unblocking. This development comes after a significant period during which Roblox faced a nationwide ban due to allegations of spreading extremist materials and LGBT propaganda.
Background on Roblox’s Ban
According to Roskomnadzor, Roblox was blocked on December 3, 2025, for distributing “extreme” content and “LGBT propaganda.” The regulator also claimed that children on the platform were subjected to sexual harassment by pedophiles. These allegations led to a swift ban from Russian authorities, impacting millions of young users who had previously enjoyed free playtime in the virtual world.
Cooperation Agreement and Future Prospects
The management of Roblox has now expressed its willingness to take measures “necessary to remove destructive and dangerous information” and “suspend criminal actions and communications of users.” This agreement is seen as a step towards unblocking the platform, which would allow Russian gamers back into the world of Roblox. However, the ban sparked an outpouring of complaints from Russian children. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, confirmed the widespread backlash against the decision. In response to this public outcry, Roskomnadzor has called for the rapid development of a domestic version of Roblox.
Urgency in Developing Domestic Alternatives
Vladislav Grib, deputy secretary of Russia’s Civic Chamber, stressed the urgency of creating a Russian equivalent of Roblox. He argued that instead of simply blocking foreign digital services like Roblox, the state should allocate significant resources to build domestic alternatives. “This is important for our children,” said Grib, calling for the quick development of a Russian platform. Grib’s statement reflects a broader strategy in Russia to reduce dependency on foreign digital services and provide safe alternatives. The ban on Call of Duty, which was reported earlier due to its depiction of the Russian military as antagonists, is another example of this trend.
Conclusion
A Shift in Digital Landscape
The unblocking of Roblox after a significant period of ban signals a potential shift in Russia’s digital landscape. While the platform has agreed to cooperate with regulators, the emphasis on developing domestic alternatives underscores a broader strategy aimed at reducing foreign influence and ensuring safer online environments for children. This move could have far-reaching implications not only for Roblox but also for other international tech companies operating in Russia. As Russian authorities continue to monitor and regulate digital content more closely, it is clear that the country’s approach to technology and gaming will evolve significantly in the coming years.
