Russia blocks Roblox, cutting off millions of young gamers
The gaming platform joins a growing list of foreign tech services banned by the Kremlin.
Russia has pulled the plug on Roblox, blocking access to the popular gaming platform and cutting off an estimated 70 million mobile installations accumulated over the years.
The country’s media regulator Roskomnadzor confirmed the ban on December 3, accusing the platform of distributing extremist materials and promoting “LGBT propaganda.” The regulator claimed Roblox had become rife with “inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children.”
For millions of Russian children, the ban isn’t just about losing a game. According to Appfigures, Roblox was installed an estimated 70 million times in Russia on mobile, with about 8 million downloads in 2025 alone. The high level of user participation in Russia established this market as essential for Roblox Corporation, which reported 111.8 million daily active users worldwide in July 2025, with 40% of them being under 13 years old.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
Unlike gaming giants like Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft, which suspended operations in Russia after the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Roblox kept its servers running in the country. Now, that presence is over.
A Roblox spokesperson told media outlets the company “respected local laws and regulations” and believes the platform “provides a positive space for learning, creation and meaningful connection for everyone.” The company emphasized its commitment to safety through both human review and AI moderation tools.
But the ban isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of a broader crackdown on foreign technology platforms. Russia has also restricted access to WhatsApp, Apple’s FaceTime, and Snapchat in recent weeks, each time citing similar allegations. The government is simultaneously promoting Max, a new state-backed messenger, as a national alternative to foreign apps.
Roblox isn’t the first gaming platform to face scrutiny over child safety. Turkey, Iran, and China have banned Roblox due to concerns about predators exploiting the platform. The platform has faced lawsuits in the United States over similar issues, with Texas and Louisiana both taking legal action against the company.
For now, the block stands. Russian children who spent hours building virtual worlds have lost access overnight, and millions of young users are left navigating a digital landscape that’s rapidly shrinking as their government tightens its grip on what they can access online.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
