Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) announced on December 3 that it has blocked the U.S. gaming platform Roblox across the country. The ban cites extremist material and “LGBT propaganda” on the site, aligning with Russia’s broader crackdown on online content deemed to threaten public order and national security.
Roblox, which reported 79.5 million daily active users and 380 million monthly active users globally in Q2 2025, had an estimated 24 million users in Russia. The restriction removes the platform from the Russian market unless users employ VPNs or other circumvention tools, effectively cutting off a sizable audience that contributed roughly 6 % of the company’s total monthly active users.
The company has not yet issued a public statement. In the weeks following the ban, Roblox’s leadership reiterated its commitment to safety and content moderation, noting that it employs AI‑driven tools, human moderators, and collaborations with law‑enforcement and child‑safety experts to address inappropriate content. The ban underscores the challenges the platform faces in markets with stringent content‑control laws.
Analysts and investors view the ban as a regional headwind that will limit Roblox’s ability to acquire new users and monetize in Russia. However, the company’s Q3 2025 results—revenue of $1.92 billion, up 70.3 % YoY, and daily active users of 151.5 million—show that the loss of the Russian market is unlikely to derail its global growth trajectory. The company’s robust infrastructure investments and safety initiatives are expected to offset short‑term revenue pressure.
The Russian government’s new September 2025 law criminalizing online searches for “extremist” content further illustrates the regulatory environment that prompted the ban. By targeting content related to LGBT propaganda and extremist material, the authorities aim to tighten control over digital platforms, a move that could affect other Western tech firms operating in Russia.
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