Why Has Russia Blocked Discord?

Key Points	Details
Discord Blocked in Russia	The popular messenger Discord has been blocked due to alleged violations of Russian legislation.
Unclear Legal Violations	Specific laws that Discord supposedly violated have not been clearly specified by authorities.
Impact on Users	Users report complete inaccessibility to the app and website since October 8th.
Previous Fines	Discord was previously fined for not removing prohibited content, including illegal materials.
Community Concerns	The block affects gamers, corporate users, and thematic communities relying on Discord for communication.

What Happened?

Russia has blocked the Discord messenger, but the exact legislative requirements that were violated remain unknown. This sudden move has left many users scrambling to find ways to access the platform, with some turning to free vpn services.

User Complaints Surge

Since September, users have been complaining about problems accessing Discord. However, these issues were intermittent until October 8th, when the number of complaints sharply increased. The app and website became completely inaccessible for many.

Official Statements

Representatives from Roskomnadzor stated that compliance with their demands is necessary to prevent the use of the messenger for extremist purposes, recruitment of citizens for illicit acts, and the sale of drugs.

Previous Penalties

Discord had previously been fined in Russia for not removing prohibited information, including materials related to illegal activities.

Impact on the Community

Discord is not just a platform for gamers but also hosts large thematic communities where like-minded individuals can connect. Some even use it as a corporate communication tool, moving away from platforms like Slack.

What’s Next for Users?

With the block in place, users are seeking alternatives to continue their communications. Using a free vpn for Discord might be a solution for some, although it comes with its own risks and considerations.