Russia and Turkey Impose Ban on Discord Over Content Violations

Discord Banned in Russia and Turkey

Discord, a popular social media platform based in the U.S., has been banned by the governments of Russia and Turkey in the past 24 hours. The ban was imposed due to the platform's alleged failure to remove illegal content.

Roskomnadzor's Statement on Discord Ban

Roskomnadzor, the censorship body of Russia, stated that Discord has been blocked due to "violation of laws". The company had previously been warned and even fined for not adhering to the rules. The statement further clarified that compliance is required to "prevent the use of the messenger for terrorist and extremist services, recruitment of citizens to commit them, for drug sales, and in connection with unlawful information posting".

Discord's Previous Violations

In the recent past, Discord was instructed by Roskomnadzor to remove around a thousand pieces of "illegal content". The platform received several violations in September, leading to the current ban.

Russia's Crackdown on Speech and Freedom of Expression

However, Western media suggests that this move is part of Russia's ongoing crackdown on speech and freedom of expression. According to them, Russian censorship laws target not only dangerous organizations but also opposition and non-governmental bodies critical of the Kremlin. Pro-Ukraine messaging and LGBT content are also prohibited under Russian laws.

Turkey's Ban on Discord

Shortly after Russia's announcement on Tuesday, Turkey declared its own ban on Wednesday. The Turkish government stated that the ban was imposed to "protect" children and young people from online abuse. The BTK communications authority of Turkey referred to a court finding in Ankara which raised "suspicion" that the app has been used for "the sexual abuse of children and obscenity".

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc's Statement

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc of Turkey stated, "We are determined to protect our young people and our children... from harmful and criminal publications on social media and the internet".

Roblox Ban in Turkey

Earlier in August, the video game platform Roblox was banned in Turkey due to controversial content, including pornographic scenes, which were deemed harmful to children.

Bottom Line

The recent bans on Discord by Russia and Turkey raise important questions about the role of social media platforms in regulating content and the balance between freedom of expression and protection of vulnerable groups. What are your thoughts on these bans? Do you think they are justified or do they infringe on freedom of expression? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.