Russia Restores Access to Roblox, but Cuts the In-Game Chat
Following a six-month ban over alleged extremist content, Russia unblocked Roblox in June 2026 after regulatory talks. The platform returned to Russian users with one notable restriction: in-game text chat has been turned off.
On June 10, 2026, users in Russia regained unassisted access to the gaming ecosystem Roblox. The restoration was confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, which stated that the American platform had satisfied official safety requirements.
The return came with an immediate caveat. In-game chat functionality was disabled specifically for Russian accounts, preventing players from exchanging direct messages across virtual worlds.
The platform had been restricted since December 3, 2025, when communications regulator Roskomnadzor blacklisted the service. At the time, the agency argued that internal moderation failed to screen out illicit materials, pointing to alleged extremist propaganda and violent incitement that supposedly endangered minors. Roblox maintained that it respects local jurisdictions while emphasizing its proactive safety infrastructure.
According to the ministry, bilateral negotiations ended on June 9, 2026, when authorities received formal compliance assurances from Roblox. Whether the deactivated chat is a permanent concession or a temporary measure during system adjustments has not been clarified.
Source: habr
Comments
Help shape the next version: Add context or suggest a correction. AI review can add points toward a rewrite. Reviews and updates may take time; a full meter does not guarantee a new version.